Late Tuesday evening, several powerful explosions rattled neighborhoods in Bujumbura, Burundi’s commercial capital. The blasts, felt across Musaga, Kanyosha, and Gasekebuye, sparked fear and confusion as residents fled homes and sought shelter.
Officials from the Burundi National Defence Force confirmed the source: a serious electrical fault at a military ammunition depot in Musaga triggered fires and subsequent detonations. Army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Gaspard Baratuza emphasized there was no attack, and emergency crews swiftly secured the site.
Eyewitnesses reported tall plumes of smoke and shattered windows, while social media videos captured the city’s tense moments. Despite the dramatic scenes, authorities say the situation is now under control, and residents have been urged to stay calm and avoid the area.
No official casualty figures have been released, though embassies advised caution. The government stresses that public safety remains intact, and this incident is being treated as an accident rather than a threat.
