Death toll from Lebanon pager blasts rises to 12

BEIRUT

The death toll from Tuesday’s pager explosions across Lebanon climbed to 12 people, including two children, Health Minister Firas Alabiad said on Wednesday.

“The number of injured people ranges between 2,750 and 2,800, with around 300 reported as critical,” Alabiad added at a press conference in Beirut.

Mass pager explosion in Lebanon

◼️ Footage shows pagers exploding in the hands or pockets of their owners

◼️ The Lebanese Health Ministry urges all pager owners to dispose of their devices immediately

◼️ Reports claim that many of those affected are Hezbollah members

◼️… pic.twitter.com/8OAslTzqht

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) September 17, 2024

The health minister said at least 460 surgeries were performed on victims of the explosions, “most of which involved face and eye injuries, with others for limb amputation.”

“Some 15 tons of medical aid have arrived from Iraq, and communication has been established regarding assistance with Egypt, Jordan, Türkiye, and other countries,” noted Alabiad.

The pagers, wireless telecommunications devices, exploded Tuesday in several areas in Lebanon, including the capital Beirut, which local media suggested was an Israeli breach of the system.

Lebanese group Hezbollah confirmed that at least two members were killed and many injured in the explosions and held Israel fully responsible for the incident.

The pager blasts came amid mounting border escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been engaged in cross-border warfare since the start of Tel Aviv’s deadly war on the Gaza Strip, which has killed over 41,200 people, mostly women and children, following a Hamas attack Oct. 7 last year.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala