This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7298341.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
'Many dead' in Albania explosions Albania rocked by huge explosions
(40 minutes later)
Albanian PM Sali Berisha says a "considerable" number of people have been killed in huge explosions at an arms depot near the capital, Tirana. At least four people have been killed and more than 150 injured in a series of explosions at an arms depot near the capital, Tirana.
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. Juela Mecani, a spokeswoman for Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha, said it was feared the death toll could rise.
More than 150 people, many of them civilians from the surrounding area, including children, were injured. She said more than 60 people - including US citizens - were at the scene at the time.
Military experts were disposing of old shells at the time of the blasts.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 dispose 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 blasts'Shrapnel falling from sky'In pictures: Albania blasts'Shrapnel falling from sky'
The explosions at the army depot in Gerdec village, some 10km north of Tirana, were heard more than 50km (30 miles) away.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.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.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.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 injured is considerable," Mr Berisha told reporters.
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.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.
"The problem of ammunition in Albania is one of the gravest, and a continuous threat," Mr Berisha said."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.""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.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.


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.
Name:
Name: