At least eight people have been killed and over 2,750 injured following a series of pager explosions across Lebanon, according to the country’s health minister. The explosions, which occurred in various cities on Tuesday, have sent shockwaves through the nation, with officials scrambling to understand the scope and cause of the deadly incidents.

Initial reports suggest that the explosions were caused by a malfunction in certain pager devices, though authorities have yet to confirm the exact reason behind the widespread detonations. Emergency services are currently overwhelmed with the high number of casualties, and hospitals across the country are struggling to accommodate the injured.

Lebanon’s health minister described the situation as “unprecedented,” expressing condolences to the families of the victims and urging the public to remain vigilant. The government has issued a nationwide alert, warning people to refrain from using their pagers until the devices can be thoroughly inspected.

In a brief statement, Lebanon’s Prime Minister called for an immediate investigation into the explosions, while security forces have been deployed to maintain order and assist with rescue operations. Officials have also requested international assistance to cope with the unfolding crisis.

The tragedy has sparked panic across Lebanon, with many questioning how such an incident could have occurred on such a large scale. The government is expected to release further updates as investigations progress.