Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan has announced a state of emergency following an explosion at a store and severe flooding due to heavy rainfall, prompting a directive for all citizens—excluding essential workers—to remain at home, the presidency revealed in a statement on Thursday.
The declaration, in response to the explosion at the CCCL explosives store causing extensive damage and the widespread devastation caused by the flooding, aims to facilitate emergency services in carrying out vital operations, the statement affirmed.
In light of the situation, all schools will be closed, permitting only essential service workers and essential travel, the presidency emphasized.
The explosion, which took place in the Providence industrial area on Mahe, the largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, inflicted significant damage in the vicinity and surrounding areas, the presidency noted, refraining from providing further details.
Despite the challenges, the Seychelles International Airport remains operational, and ferry services between islands continue to operate for visitors, as stated on the official Visit Seychelles account on X.
The Seychelles, composed of 115 islands and formerly a British colony, boasts the highest per capita gross domestic product in Africa according to 2021 World Bank data, relying heavily on tourism for its economy.
