The General Staff of the Chadian Armed Forces announced plans to dispose of 432 explosive devices, primarily grenades, found amidst the wreckage of the powder magazine fire. The Office of Military Engineering and Production (OGETAM), along with the National High Commission for Mine Action and the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) will collaborate on the destruction operation.
Officials have designated the Amfiguel firing range, approximately 80 kilometers from N’Djamena, as the location for the disposal process. The destruction will occur through controlled detonations over a one-month period, from July 19th to August 19th.
The Chadian military has issued a temporary evacuation notice for residents living within a 2-kilometer radius of the firing range during the controlled detonations. This precautionary measure aims to ensure public safety.
The close proximity of the disposal site to civilian residences raises concerns among human rights organizations. They fear that the explosions could potentially cause additional casualties or property damage.
The June 2nd explosion at the DGRS (Direction Générale de la Sécurité des Services Penitentiaires) ammunition depot claimed the lives of nine people and injured 46 others, according to official reports. The blast also damaged nearby homes, displacing families. Appeals from the victims’ collective for government assistance have yet to be acknowledged.
While the planned destruction of the recovered explosives aims to mitigate further risks, the Chadian government faces the challenge of balancing safety with minimizing disruption to surrounding communities. Additionally, addressing the needs of those affected by the initial explosion remains a critical concern.
CA/te/sf/lb/abj/APA