An explosion at a weapons cache in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six soldiers and injured others, the Lebanese Army said in an official statement.

The blast occurred during an operation by an army unit to uncover and dismantle the contents of a weapons storage site in Wadi Zabqin, near the coastal city of Tyre. According to the Army Command’s statement, the explosion took place inside the cache, resulting in the deaths of six soldiers and injuries to several others.

The Lebanese Army said it is continuing its investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.

Al Arabiya channel reported that the explosion happened while the army was transferring artillery shells from a Hezbollah storage facility. Sky News Arabia further reported that the Lebanese army’s engineering unit was in the process of removing ammunition from one of Hezbollah’s military sites in the south when the blast occurred. The explosion was reportedly caused by a cannon installed inside the Hezbollah site, which detonated during the army’s dismantling efforts.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed profound sorrow following the deadly explosion.

President Aoun spoke by phone with Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal to receive details on the tragic incident. The president conveyed his deep grief over the loss of life, offering condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and the Lebanese Army, and wished a speedy recovery for the wounded.

“Today, the nation mourns the loss of some of its finest sons who sacrificed their pure lives defending Lebanon’s land and sovereignty. These righteous martyrs inscribed with their blood the highest meaning of sacrifice and devotion. They reaffirm that the Lebanese Army remains the nation’s protective shield and guardian of its borders," Aoun said in a statement.

“I salute the spirit of sacrifice and loyalty that these heroic martyrs had. Their tremendous sacrifices for Lebanon’s security and stability will not be forgotten. Their martyrdom is not the end, but a beacon of hope to light the way for future generations, reminding them that the country’s freedom is preserved only through great sacrifice.”

“The blood of our noble martyrs will not be shed in vain,” he continued. “It will remain a guiding light illuminating the struggle for a free, sovereign, and independent Lebanon. May God have mercy on our heroic martyrs and grant them eternal peace.”

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also reached out by phone to President Aoun, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, and Army Commander Haykal to offer his condolences. He expressed “deep sorrow and regret” over the “grave national loss,” bidding farewell to "the brave sons of our army who fell as martyrs in the south while fulfilling their national duty.”

Salam stressed that “the entire country, State and people alike, bow in reverence before their sacrifices and pure blood, which reaffirm that our army is the safety valve, the bastion of sovereignty, and protector of national unity and legitimate institutions."

The Prime Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the martyrs and wished a quick recovery for those injured in the blast.