Hundreds of wireless devices exploded at the same time across Lebanon on Tuesday, causing many to be injured and leading the Lebanese Health Ministry to advise people to stay away from their pager-like devices, multiple outlets reported.
Hundreds of Hezbollah fighters had devices like the ones that exploded, a Hezbollah official told the Wall Street Journal, though it’s not clear what caused them to explode.
The explosions lasted for about an hour beginning at 3:45 p.m. local time, Reuters reported, and it’s not immediately clear how many devices were detonated.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reportedly warned people to avoid using similar devices until it is known how and why they exploded.
Israel’s military has said it will not comment on the attack—which came one day after Israeli officials reportedly said military action may be necessary in response to Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
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Exactly how many people were injured or killed as a result of the explosions. A Hezbollah official told the Wall Street Journal the number of casualties seems to top 1,000, and Lebanon’s health minister Firass Abiad told the New York Times hundreds of people were injured.