UN reacts to pager explosions across Lebanon as more casualties reported
New York - OCTOBER 17, 2016 - Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, conducts the daily noon briefing for journalists at UN headquarters. (Photo by: Luiz C. Ribeiro/Europa Newswire)
The United Nations has expressed deep concerns over the deadly pager detonations across Lebanon.
The Musim Parrot earlier reported that no fewer than 1,000 people, including Hezbollah members and medical personnel, were injured on Tuesday and several others killed as explosive devices, disguised as pagers, detonated across Lebanon, according to security sources.
A Hezbollah official described the incident as the group’s “biggest security breach” in nearly a year of conflict with Israel.
Also Read: Voting begins in Indian-administered Kashmir’s first local elections since 2014
While reacting to the incident, UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters that the global body is aware of the situation in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, stressing that the developments are extremely concerning.
He said: “This story was unfolding just before the briefing. We’re obviously very much aware of what we’ve seen in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon. I can tell you these developments are extremely concerning, especially given that this is taking place within a context that is extremely volatile,”
Dujarric added that the UN does not have any more information than what is being reported in the media.
“We, of course, deplore the civilian casualties that we’ve seen, but we’re watching the situation,” he said.
Eyewitnesses described widespread panic, with ambulances rushing to hospitals in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold, and motorcycles speeding to emergency rooms.
Hospitals in Nabatieh and Mt. Lebanon reported treating dozens of wounded individuals with severe injuries, including facial, eye, and limb wounds.
