A devastating explosion rocked a marble factory in Sabha, Libya, on Friday, October 30, 2026, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring a third person. The blast occurred at the Al-Rayan Marble Factory, located in the Al-Hijarat area of Sabha. According to the Libyan Criminal Investigation Device, the explosion was caused by an RPG shell that detonated while being cut with a metal-cutting machine.
The Libyan Criminal Investigation Device, in a statement released by its media section, revealed that a team from the crime scene investigation unit of the Southern Region branch initiated procedures to examine and inspect the incident site. This followed a report from the Hijarat police station. The device's preliminary investigation indicated that the explosion happened during an attempt to dismantle the RPG shell, resulting in the casualties.
The investigation team meticulously documented the explosion's aftermath, collecting physical evidence and taking initial statements from witnesses and the injured. The device emphasized that technical and legal procedures are ongoing to complete the investigations, identify the incident's circumstances, and submit the findings to the relevant authorities.
The blast has raised concerns about safety and security measures in industrial facilities across Libya. The country's infrastructure and industrial sectors have faced significant challenges in recent years, partly due to the lingering effects of conflict and instability. The incident in Sabha serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with inadequate safety protocols and the handling of explosive materials.
The Libyan authorities have not released the identities of the victims or provided further details about the factory. However, the incident has sparked local discussions about the need for enhanced safety regulations and stricter enforcement of industrial safety standards. The community in Sabha and surrounding areas is grappling with the implications of the tragedy.
This incident follows a series of accidents and incidents in Libya related to explosive materials and industrial safety. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive safety assessments and improvements in industrial settings to prevent such tragedies in the future. The authorities are expected to provide more information as the investigation progresses.
The explosion at the Al-Rayan Marble Factory in Sabha is under investigation, with a focus on determining the circumstances leading to the incident and implementing measures to prevent similar accidents.
Key points
- Two people were killed and one injured in an explosion at a marble factory in Sabha, Libya.
- The explosion was caused by an RPG shell detonating while being cut with a metal-cutting machine.
- The incident has raised concerns about safety and security measures in industrial facilities across Libya.