Many people are feared to have died in a series of huge blasts at an arms depot near the Albanian capital, Tirana, officials say.
Many people have died in a series of huge explosions at a military arms depot near the Albanian capital Tirana, Prime Minister Sali Berisha says.
About 150 people, including children, were also wounded in the explosions, which damaged the city's main airport.
About 150 people, including children, were also wounded in the explosions.
A government spokeswoman told Reuters news agency that more than 60 people, including US nationals, had been at the army base when the blasts happened.
A government spokeswoman said about 60 people, including US nationals, were at the army base when the blasts happened. She added: "We fear the worst."
She added: "We fear the worst." The cause of the explosions is unclear.
The explosions are believed to have begun while three explosives teams were dismantling munitions at the base.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha says said helicopters had been sent to the scene, some 12km (seven miles) north of Tirana, to evacuate residents.
Mr Berisha said helicopters had been sent to the scene in the village of Gerdec, some 12km (seven miles) north of Tirana, to evacuate residents.
AFP news agency quoted him as saying that a "considerable" number of people had been killed.
But they had not managed to land as explosions were continuing, officials said.
The blast was heard in the town of Durres more than 20km (12 miles) away.
The blasts lasted for about two hours and shattered windows at the nearby Mother Teresa airport.
They were so powerful that they were heard in the coastal town of Durres more than 20km (12 miles) away.
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