'Gas Leak' Blast Damages Kaslik Club

An explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through the Senses health club and spa in Kaslik, north of Beirut on Saturday, causing material damage only, the head of the Internal Security Forces in Mount Lebanon, Brig. Gen. Joseph Dwaihi said.

The investigation carried out by forensic teams and explosives experts at the seafront resort found that the incident was not a sabotage and was the result of a gas leak, the National News Agency quoted Dwaihi as saying.

“We would like to clarify this to all the citizens and take the opportunity to remind them that as security forces we are keen on preserving the security of the people under instructions from Interior Minister Marwan Charbel,” he said.

Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3) had said earlier that the explosion resulted from a bomb placed in the facility due to a personal dispute between the owner of the club, Wassim Zhgeib, and the investor whom it identified as Nadim Dwaihi.

TV footage showed shattered glass at the entrance of the club. Part of the ceiling near the entrance was also damaged.