Less than 24 hours after a state of emergency was declared due to floods and a blast at an explosives’ depot, the Seychelles government says it has lifted the state of emergency and that no tourist was hurt in the incidents and that the situation in the country was fast returning to normal.

The government of Seychelles has lifted the state of emergency declared on Thursday in the East African archipelago, after a massive blast at an explosives’ depot that reportedly killed three persons, even as floods caused by heavy rains had gripped the East African archipelago of 115 islands.

In a press statement, the government says that it is committed to maintaining control by proactively addressing situations and prioritising the safety of citizens and visitors.

It adds that throughout the day, numerous agencies worked together to ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and tourists in Seychelles in the wake of the explosion in the Providence industrial area on Mahe and the landslip and flooding that hit the northern part of the main island.

The Tourism Department says it has confirmed that no tourists have been harmed, despite some establishments in the Beau Vallon and Bel Ombre regions having sustained damages.

The National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC), in collaboration with respective government agencies and the Seychelles Red Cross, has conducted thorough assessments of the affected areas, reassuring that Seychelles remains safe, says the statement.

The government says that the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC), in collaboration with respective government agencies and the Seychelles Red Cross, has conducted thorough assessments of the affected areas to reassure that Seychelles remains safe.

“We want to reassure the public, especially our visitors boarding a flight to our islands, that Seychelles remains a safe destination. The government has taken extensive measures to address any potential hazards and to restore normalcy to the affected areas. Our dedicated first responders and emergency services have been working around the clock to mitigate the impact of the disaster and provide assistance to those in need,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism Sylvestre Radegonde.

The tourism department says it has been in touch with establishments on Mahe to monitor the situation on-site and provide support wherever required. Emergency services were deployed promptly to affected areas to address immediate concerns and assist residents and visitors. The statement adds that regular updates will be provided through official communication channels, including destination social media platforms and press releases, to keep the public informed about ongoing recovery efforts and safety measures.

Radegonde expressed that he is confident that with the collective support of the local community during these challenging times, Seychelles will rebuild and emerge stronger. The Minister in his address also thanked tourism industry partners for their support to their fellow colleagues, individuals and families affected by the disaster.