Hezbollah areas deserted as Lebanon reels from second wave of blasts

The usually busy streets of Beirut's southern suburbs were almost deserted on Wednesday, after a new wave of explosions hit walkie-talkies carried by members of the Shiite Hezbollah militia.

According to the Health Ministry, at least nine people have been killed and 300 others wounded in the latest detonations which could be heard across Beirut's southern suburbs, a hotbed of the pro-Iranian group, as well as in southern and eastern Lebanon.

Hezbollah said many members of its military units were among the casualties.

The latest wave of detonations comes just a day after at least 12 people were killed and some 2,800 injured after pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday.

"I am still in a state of shock from yesterday. I cannot believe what happened," a resident in southern Beirut, who asked to remain anonymous, told dpa.

The only people seen out on the streets were those gathering near tents set up by Hezbollah for people to donate blood for the wounded.

Hezbollah has blamed the attack on Israel and vowed to retaliate.

Israel has not commented on the incidents yet.

"My sister was standing next to her husband when his pager exploded and she lost her eye," said another resident who also requested anonimity.

"My cousins, my fellow fighters were all mostly wounded," a member of Hezbollah told dpa.