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Albania blast toll 'considerable' 'Many dead' in Albania explosions
(40 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 four bodies had been recovered, but 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 from the surrounding area, 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.
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 dispose of surplus munitions.
In pictures: Albania blastsIn pictures: Albania blasts
The army depot is in Gerdec village, some 10km north of Tirana. The explosions at the army depot in Gerdec village, some 10km north of Tirana, were heard more than 50km (30 miles) away.
The initial explosion was followed by a series of blasts, and ammunition continued to detonate for hours.
Attempts to fly rescuers into the area by helicopter were thwarted by the continuing explosions, and armoured vehicles were used to ferry rescue units into the area.
Injured people were taken to nearby hospitals. Local media reports said their injuries included burns, concussion, broken limbs, and cuts from flying glass and shrapnel.
"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." Mr Berisha - who visited some of the injured in hospital - said he could not rule out human error as the cause of the explosions, but added that the ammunition could have exploded spontaneously because of its age.
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 problem of ammunition in Albania is one of the gravest, and a continuous threat," Mr Berisha said.
"There is a colossal, crazy amount of it dating back to 1945."
Flights were suspended at Mother Teresa Tirana International Airport, several kilometres from the base, for 30 minutes after windows there were shattered.
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.


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