Libya: 29 dead in an arms depot explosion east of Tripoli

At least 29 people were killed and dozens injured on Tuesday in an explosion of a weapons depot east of the Libyan capital Tripoli after clashes between armed militia and residents, officials said.

The armed residents in the city of Garaboulli, 70 km east of Tripoli stormed a weapons depot belonging to a militia from Misrata (200 km east of Tripoli).

“A big explosion then occurred. The exact causes are not known but it is likely that the militia that owned the depot was trapped,” a resident disclosed on condition of anonymity .

“At least 29 people were killed and dozens wounded in the explosion,” a medical source confirmed expecting the death toll to rise.

Meanwhile, 34 members of pro-government forces were killed on Tuesday in the fight against the Islamic State group (IS) which has been besieged for ten days in the center of their stronghold of Sirte, the military command said.