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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.
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