President Wavel Ramkalawan has declared a state of emergency in Seychelles.
The president urged citizens to stay indoors following a huge explosion and heavy flooding on Mahe, the largest island in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
It was gathered that the blast at the CCCL explosives store in the Providence industrial area, caused extensive damage, leading to the closure of schools and restrictions on movement for all but essential workers and travelers.
Ramkalawan’s office said in a statement on X: “Following an explosion at the CCCL explosives store that has caused massive damage… and major destruction caused by flooding due to heavy rains, the President has declared a State of Emergency for today the 7th December.
‘All schools will be closed. Only workers in the essential services and persons travelling will be allowed free movement. This is to allow the emergency services to carry out essential work.”
The explosion occurred in the Providence industrial area in Mahe and caused huge damage there and to surrounding areas.
Several people were injured in the explosion, adding to the three casualties from collapsed homes during the flooding.
While the international airport sustained damage, it remains operational for tourists to travel in and out of the holiday destination.
“The Seychelles International Airport is still operational and ferry services between islands are operating for visitors,” the tourism-dependent country said on its official Visit Seychelles account on X.
The downpour in the country has caused sewage to flow into the ocean, which caused authorities to warn people not to go swimming.
The British government advised its citizens in Mahe to stay indoors due to the declared state of emergency, emphasizing continued flight operations for those arriving or departing.
It said: “Due to heavy rains and an industrial accident during the night of 6 December a state of emergency has been declared on 7 December. If you are in Seychelles on the island of Mahé, you are advised to refrain from leaving your accommodation until further notice.‘
“Flights to and from the country continue to operate and visitors arriving or departing are able to travel to and from the airport.
‘Swimming in the sea in the northeast of the island of Mahé is currently not advised due to an overflow of the sewage system caused by heavy rains. You should follow advice from the local authorities as the situation progresses.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Seychelles has allegedly imposed a ban on Nigerian passport holders from visiting the country for holiday purposes.
