2023 Mahé explosion

An explosion occurred on 7 December 2023 at an explosives depot on the island of Mahé in the Seychelles, south of the capital Victoria.^[1] The blast damaged numerous structures. The explosion took place during heavy flooding in Seychelles that killed three people; a state of emergency was declared following both events.^[2][1]

2023 Mahé explosion

A building damaged due to the explosion
Date	7 December 2023 (2023-12-07)
Time	02:00 SCT (UTC+04:00)
Location	Mahé, Seychelles
Coordinates	04°39′27″S 55°29′07″E
Non-fatal injuries	178

A building destroyed due to the explosion

Background

Prior to the explosion, heavy rainfall in Seychelles caused extensive flooding that killed at least three people.^[1]

Explosion

According to a statement issued by the president's office, the explosion occurred at a "CCCL explosives store" and caused "massive damage to the Providence Industrial area and the surrounding areas,", located 7 kilometers southeast of the capital Victoria,^[3] with officials calling the area a "war zone".^[4]

The explosion was reported to have originated from four containers of explosives and had left a 13-meter deep crater. It also caused damage to Seychelles International Airport, four kilometers away, although the airport remained operational along with inter-island ferries. At least 178 people were injured,^[5] mostly suffering light injuries. Five people were hospitalized, with one of them in intensive care.^[2]

Response

President Wavel Ramkalawan ordered non-essential workers to remain at home, while schools were closed and hospitals remained open only for emergency cases.^[2] 202 residents in the worst-affected district of Cascade were evacuated due to serious damage to homes.^[5] A state of emergency was declared on 7 December following the explosion and floods,^[2][1] but was lifted within the day.^[6]