Bujumbura, Burundi — Powerful explosions rocked an ammunition depot in the Musaga area of Bujumbura on Tuesday night, killing 13 civilians and injuring 57 people, including 54 civilians and three military personnel, according to the Burundi National Defense Force (FDNB).
The blasts, triggered by a fire at the depot belonging to the logistics brigade in the Mugere district, sent flames, plumes of smoke, and flying ordnance across the commercial capital of more than a million people. The explosions reverberated far beyond the immediate blast radius, with terrified residents scrambling for shelter as houses in various neighborhoods and private vehicles sustained damage. Military equipment and facilities were also burnt and destroyed.
Military spokesperson Gaspard Baratuza addressed the incident during a briefing on Wednesday, confirming the human and material toll. Witnesses reported that some victims were killed by flying ordnance that penetrated homes. One resident recounted the tragedy: “The deceased person worked for me. I considered her as my child. She was sitting here in the living room with the children when the bomb went through the tin roof, hit the wall, and then hit her in the chest, killing her instantly.”
The resident added an appeal to authorities: “We’re asking the government to help us bury with dignity those we lost because this is a tragedy that affects us all.”
Security forces have secured the site of the explosions, but residents in surrounding residential areas have been cautioned about ongoing risks. Unexploded ordnance from the depot has been recovered in nearby neighborhoods. The FDNB has urged the entire Burundian population to remain calm and composed, to report any unexploded ordnance they see to the authorities and law enforcement agencies immediately, and above all, not to touch it.
Investigators are still probing the cause of the fire, though preliminary indications point to an electrical fault or short circuit. The military has assured the public that Burundi’s defense capabilities remain intact.
President Évariste Ndayishimiye issued a message of condolence to those affected by the incident. The FDNB has extended its condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured receiving treatment in various hospitals.
