Seven people were killed in a fuel tank explosion at a gas station in the east of the Lebanese capital

Seven people were killed and 15 were injured Monday in a fuel tank explosion that rocked the “Wardieh” gas station in the east of the Lebanese capital.

The incident occurred in Beirut in a diesel warehouse at a petrol station between Ashrafieh and the Fiat Bridge, Lebanon's official National News Agency reported.
The explosion set off a huge fire that caused serious damage to the surrounding area.

Ambulances and Civil Defense members were working to transport the injured people to nearby hospitals. Reports said that the explosion was the result of a malfunction during the welding of one of the fuel tanks.

The fatalities included the owner of the station and several foreign workers.