BEIRUT  —  On Aug. 15, the Lebanese woke up to the news of a fuel tank explosion in the town of al-Tleil in the Akkar region of northern Lebanon that took place in the early hours of the morning. The explosion killed 28 and injured at least 79 civilians and soldiers, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The charred bodies and the burned persons who were rescued were transferred to Akkar, Tripoli and Beirut hospitals. However, the Health Ministry called for sending severe cases abroad for treatment amid the lack of medicines and medical supplies and the difficulty in providing burn treatment in Lebanon. The official National News Agency said some burn victims were airlifted to Turkey on Wednesday.

In an Aug. 15 statement, the Lebanese army said the explosion occurred as its members were distributing gasoline to citizens from a fuel storage tank it had seized. The tank was hidden on a land plot used to store pebbles. The army said it was investigating the circumstances that led to the blast.

Mixed reports emerged on the causes of the explosion. Some said a lighter was ignited, while others say gunfire was shot following an argument and hit the gasoline tank. No official statements have been issued, but the son of the owner of the land where the fuel tank exploded was arrested.