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Albania blast toll 'considerable' | Albania blast toll 'considerable' |
(10 minutes later) | |
Albanian PM Sali Berisha says a "considerable" number of people have been killed in huge explosions at an army depot near the capital, Tirana. | Albanian PM Sali Berisha says a "considerable" number of people have been killed in huge explosions at an army depot near the capital, Tirana. |
His spokeswoman Juela Mecani said more than 60 people - including US citizens - were at the scene at the time. | His spokeswoman Juela Mecani said more than 60 people - including US citizens - were at the scene at the time. |
More than 150 people, many of them civilians, including children, are said to have been injured. | More than 150 people, many of them civilians, including children, are said to have been injured. |
Military experts were disposing of old shells at the time of the blasts, heard more than 50km (30 miles) away. | Military experts were disposing of old shells at the time of the blasts, heard more than 50km (30 miles) away. |
They were reported to be being assisted by employees of a US company contracted by Nato to help the Albanian army get rid of surplus munitions. | They were reported to be being assisted by employees of a US company contracted by Nato to help the Albanian army get rid of surplus munitions. |
In pictures: Albania blasts | |
The army depot is in Gerdec village, some 10km north of Tirana. | The army depot is in Gerdec village, some 10km north of Tirana. |
"The number of dead is considerable," Mr Berisha told reporters. | "The number of dead is considerable," Mr Berisha told reporters. |
"Special army units with armoured vehicles went to the scene of the incident in a bid to rescue those who worked there." | "Special army units with armoured vehicles went to the scene of the incident in a bid to rescue those who worked there." |
Ms Mecani told Reuters news agency: "We do not know the exact number [of casualties] but we fear the worst for the three teams, each of 21 people, working there at the time. Several were US citizens." | Ms Mecani told Reuters news agency: "We do not know the exact number [of casualties] but we fear the worst for the three teams, each of 21 people, working there at the time. Several were US citizens." |
The US embassy in Tirana said it was unable to confirm that there were US citizens at the depot. | The US embassy in Tirana said it was unable to confirm that there were US citizens at the depot. |
Are you in the area of the explosions? Do you have any information you would like to share? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in the area of the explosions? Do you have any information you would like to share? Send us your comments using the form below. |