Al-Bayda gas station explosion
{{Short description|Gas explosion in al-Bayda, Yemen}}
{{Infobox disaster
| image = Al-Bayda gas station explosion.png
| date = {{start date|2025|01|11|df=yes}}
| time =
| timezone =
| Location = Al-Zahir, al-Bayda Governorate, Yemen
| coordinates =
| reported deaths = ≥40
| injuries = ≥74
}}
On 11 January 2025, a gas station and a storage tanker exploded in Yemen's Al-Zahir district, located in Al Bayda Governorate. The explosion and subsequent fire killed 40 people and injured at least 74 more, including 50 critically.
Background
The explosion occurred in Al Bayda Governorate in central Yemen, a region under the control of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The province has been a significant focal point in the ongoing Yemeni Civil War, which began in 2014, and has experienced numerous conflicts and incidents as part of the larger civil war context, such as the Al Bayda offensive and the 2024 al-Bayda bombing.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-12 |title=15 killed in an explosion and fire at a gas station in central Yemen |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/15-killed-in-an-explosion-and-fire-at-a-gas-station-in-central-yemen-1.7172825 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=12 January 2025 |title=15 killed in explosion and fire at gas station in central Yemen |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/15-killed-explosion-fire-gas-station-central-yemen-117595051 |access-date=12 January 2025 |website=ABC News |language=en}}
Explosion
The explosions took place in the Nassefa area of the Al-Zahir district, involving four gas stations and a gas storage container located in a popular market.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-12 |title=15 killed, 67 injured in explosions at gas stations in southern Yemen |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250112-15-killed-67-injured-in-explosions-at-gas-stations-in-southern-yemen/ |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=Middle East Monitor}}{{Cite news |date=11 January 2025 |title=Eight killed, 50 injured in explosion of gas station, gas storage tank in Yemen's al-Bayda, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/eight-killed-50-injured-explosion-gas-station-gas-storage-tank-yemens-al-bayda-2025-01-11/ |access-date=11 January 2025 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |last=الوسط |first=بوابة |date=12 January 2025 |title=الحوثيون: ارتفاع قتلى انفجار محطات للغاز في البيضاء إلى 15 وإصابة العشرات |trans-title=Houthis: Death toll from gas station explosion in Al Bayda rises to 15, dozens |url=https://alwasat.ly/news/arabic/463666 |access-date=2025-01-12 |website=alwasat.ly |language=ar}} The explosion occurred after a stray bullet from Houthis shooting at a car struck a nearby gas station.{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2025 |title=Yemen: Death toll from Al Bayda gas station explosion rises to 40 |url=https://en.yemenshabab.net/sections/NEWS/Locals/yemen--death-toll-from-al-bayda-gas-station-explosion-rises-to-40 |access-date=January 20, 2025 |publisher=Yemen Shabab Net |language=en}} At the time of the explosions, the market was reportedly crowded with people, vendors, and vehicles. The explosions triggered an extensive fire that produced massive smoke columns visible from considerable distances. The blast destroyed numerous vehicles in the vicinity. At least 40 people were killed in the explosion. Among the 74 people injured in the incident, 50 sustained critical injuries.{{Cite news |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Seventeen killed, 50 injured in explosion at Yemen fuel station |url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2025/01/14/world/704057/seventeen-killed-50-injured-in-explosion-at-yemen-fuel-station/ |access-date=January 13, 2025 |publisher=Dailynews |language=en}} Rescue teams conducted searches for missing individuals.
References
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{{coord missing|Yemen}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bayda gas station explosion}}
Category:2025 disasters in Asia
Category:January 2025 in Yemen
Category:Al Bayda Governorate in the Yemeni civil war (2014–present)