Explosion at UN facility in Lebanon injures three TNI soldiers on Friday afternoon

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Three Indonesian personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) were injured in an explosion at a UN facility near El Adeisse in southern Lebanon on Friday (3/4) afternoon.

“This afternoon, an explosion at a UN facility near El Adeisse injured three peacekeepers, two of whom sustained serious injuries,” said UNIFIL Spokesperson Kandice Ardiel in a statement issued by the United Nations Information Centre in Indonesia (UNIC).

The three Indonesian personnel have been evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

“We do not yet know the origin of the explosion,” Ardiel said.

She described this week as a difficult period for peacekeeping forces in UNIFIL’s area of operations.

She also expressed hopes for a speedy recovery for all the victims.

UNIFIL has reminded all parties to ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel and to avoid combat activities around the operational area.

This latest incident adds to the grief for Indonesia, which previously lost three personnel in Lebanon.

Private First Class Farizal Rhomadhon was killed by artillery fire near the Indonesian contingent’s position close to Adchit Al Qusayr on Sunday (29/3).

The following day, two other Indonesian personnel, Captain (Inf) Zulmi Aditya Iskandar and Sergeant Major Muhammad Nur Ichwan, were killed in an attack on the convoy they were escorting.

To date, it has not been confirmed who is responsible for the deaths of these three peacekeeping force members.

On Thursday, the UN confirmed that an investigation is ongoing and the results will be announced shortly.