Explosion in Lebanon damages buildings

A powerful explosion shook a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon, sending thick grey smoke billowing over the village.

The Lebanese army said the blast occurred in a building in the southern village of Ain Qana, above the port city of Sidon, and that it was investigating. Lebanon’ s official news agency N NA said the explosion coincided with intense Israeli overflights “that did not leave the skies” over the area since yesterday morning.

It said the cause of the explosion, which damaged buildings, shattered windows and caused panic among residents, was not known.

The mysterious blast added to collective anxiety in a country still reeling from last month’s massive explosion in Beirut and struggling with an unprecedented economic crisis.