Dozens injured in Lebanon after mass pager explosion

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – Dozens were injured Tuesday in Beirut and several areas in Lebanon after wireless communication devices known as pagers exploded, according to local media.

The state-run National News Agency called the incident an “unprecedented security incident,” without providing any further details.

Local media reports suggested that the devices exploded after an Israeli breach of the communication system.

The Lebanese Health Ministry, for its part, urged all citizens who own pager communication devices to immediately dispose of them.

The Lebanese Red Cross said 50 more ambulances and 300 emergency medical technicians are on standby to assist in evacuating the victims following the mass pager explosion.

Tensions have mounted along the Lebanon-Israel border amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with an offensive against Gaza. The offensive has killed over 41,200 people since last October following a Hamas attack.