2023 Mahé explosion

According to a statement issued by the president's office, the explosion occurred at a "CCCL explosives store" and caused "massive damage to the Providence Industrial area and the surrounding areas", located 7 kilometers southeast of the capital Victoria,^[3] with officials calling the area a "war zone".^[4]

The explosion was reported to have originated from four containers of explosives and had left a 13-meter deep crater. It also caused damage to Seychelles International Airport, four kilometers away, although the airport remained operational along with inter-island ferries. At least 178 people were injured,^[5] mostly suffering light injuries. Five people were hospitalized, with one of them in intensive care.^[2]

President Wavel Ramkalawan ordered non-essential workers to remain at home, while schools were closed and hospitals remained open only for emergency cases.^[2] 202 residents in the worst-affected district of Cascade were evacuated due to serious damage to homes.^[5] A state of emergency was declared on 7 December following the explosion and floods,^[2][1] but was lifted within the day.^[6]