A branch of Byblos Bank in Lebanon. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT – An armed assault at the Zalka branch of Byblos Bank on Tuesday injured two of its employees, local media reported.
Here’s what we know:
• Two gunmen aboard a motorcycle opened fire when they entered the bank, local news site Lebanon Debate reported. It is unclear whether the gunmen were able to steal the funds stored in the branch, but a malfunction in their vehicle caused them to commandeer another motorcycle from a bystander during their getaway.
• Another report of the incident, given by an anonymous security source to local news channel LBCI indicated that the attempted robbery resulted in a single minor injury and that no funds had been taken from the bank.
• The Jdeideh branch of Fransabank had also reportedly faced an attempted hold-up according to Lebanon Debate. However, the bank denied these reports.
• Lebanon has seen a marked increase in crime since the beginning of its financial crisis, including a 266 percent increase in thefts during the first 10 months of 2021, compared to the same period in 2019.