Lebanon explosion kills at least one person, wounds seven others

The blast "was not an act of sabotage," a source said.
Lebanon flags
By Madeleine Hubbard

At least one person has died and seven others have been injured following an explosion in Benafoul, southern Lebanon early Tuesday morning.

The Benafoul mayor's son was killed in the blast, Al Jazeera reported.

While the Qatari outlet stated the explosion destroyed the Benefoul municipality building and damaged a nearby residential complex, Reuters reported that the explosion occurred at a "scout centre affiliated with the Shi'ite Amal Movement" and damaged the nearby town hall.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the explosion came from a Hamas weapons depot and authorities are investigating the incident.

Gazan news agency Shehab tweeted videos of the explosion's aftermath, showing men standing on piles of rubble.

The blast "was not an act of sabotage," a source told Reuters.