Seychelles declares state of emergency after massive explosion

Colombo (News 1st) - A massive explosion rocked the main island of the Seychelles on Thursday (7th), flattening a commercial area, foreign media reported.

Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan said that four containers of explosives stored in the explosives store of a private construction company on the island of Mahe had blown up. At least 66 people were injured and rushed to hospital. It was not immediately clear if anyone was killed.

The government declared a state of emergency and ordered people to stay indoors until further notice.

The blast was in the Providence industrial area of Mahe of the Indian Ocean island nation . The international airport 4 km away was damaged by the blast.