12 killed, 25 injured in blast in Lebanon's Tripoli: Red Cross
BEIRUT. August 23. KAZINFORM - At least 12 people were killed and 25 others injured when a powerful explosion rocked Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli, according to the Lebanese Red Cross, Kazinform has learned from Xinhua.
The explosion targeted al-Taqua Mosque at the height of Friday prayers. The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that a second equally fierce blast went off soon after the first.
The second blast reportedly occurred outside al-Salam Mosque near the house of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati. But his office said later that he is not in the city at the moment.
Black clouds shrouded the northern city as heavy gunfire is being heard, the NNA reported.
The rise of violence in Lebanon has put people on pins and needles, especially after a car bombing last week killed at least 17 people and injured 212 others in Beirut's southern suburb.