At least 13 civilians died when explosions ripped through a military ammunition depot in Burundi's capital Bujumbura on Tuesday evening, according to army officials, marking one of the deadliest accidents in the East African nation's recent history.
The blasts began around 6:20 PM local time at the facility in Musaga suburb, less than 4 kilometers from the city center. An electrical fault triggered the initial fire at the underground storage facility, which houses heavy weapons and munitions for the entire Burundian army, military spokesperson General Gaspard Baratuza said.
Explosions continued for hours, sending shrapnel and debris more than 5 kilometers across the city of over one million residents. The force destroyed several houses in nearby neighborhoods and damaged Mpimba Central Prison, where inmates were reportedly injured.
Glass fell on us and I even got wounded under my foot
Bujumbura resident — BBC
The incident sparked immediate panic among residents traumatized by decades of civil war and ethnic massacres. Many fled their homes, shops shuttered, and traffic accidents occurred as drivers abandoned vehicles in fear of a coup attempt or renewed conflict.
BBC provides detailed witness accounts and casualty reports from multiple neighborhoods. The coverage emphasizes civilian impact and residents' calls for official reassurance about safety.
France 24 focuses on official military statements confirming the death toll and cause. The outlet emphasizes government efforts to maintain control and calm public fears.
RFI contextualizes the incident within Burundi's traumatic history of conflict and ethnic violence. The coverage highlights how the explosions revived painful memories for residents who lived through civil war.
Powerful blasts destroyed homes and sparked panic in the city of Bujumbura on Tuesday night.
Burundi explosion at ammunitions depot kills civilians in Bujumbura, witnesses say
Powerful blasts destroyed homes and sparked panic in the city of Bujumbura on Tuesday night.
Burundi explosion at ammunitions depot kills civilians in Bujumbura, witnesses say
Powerful blasts destroyed homes and sparked panic in the city of Bujumbura on Tuesday night.
Burundi explosion at ammunitions depot kills civilians in Bujumbura, witnesses say
In Gisandema neighborhood, witnesses reported a domestic worker killed when a bomb destroyed a house. Another victim died at the prison facility near the ammunition store. Security sources told AFP the death toll could reach dozens, though official casualty figures remain under assessment.
She was in front of me. I saw her falling as she was running in a group of people. After a short while I came to know she was violently hit by a bomb
Witness — Reuters
President Evariste Ndayishimiye moved quickly to calm fears, posting on social media that authorities had the situation under control. The military confirmed all casualties were civilians, with no military personnel killed in the blast.
The Camp Base facility serves as the primary logistics hub for Burundi's armed forces, storing not only weapons and ammunition but also medical supplies, uniforms, and food. The underground bunker was designed to contain such materials safely, but the electrical malfunction overwhelmed its protective systems.
We would like officials to reassure us that it is over so we can reorganise and get back to normal life
Bujumbura resident — BBC
By Wednesday morning, fires continued burning at the main facility, preventing investigators from accessing the blast site. The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in military infrastructure across the region, where aging storage facilities pose risks to civilian populations.
Burundi has experienced relative stability since emerging from civil war in 2005, but Tuesday's explosions revived traumatic memories for residents who lived through years of ethnic violence that killed hundreds of thousands. The government faces questions about safety protocols at military installations located near populated areas.