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| Huge blasts rock Tanzanian city | Huge blasts rock Tanzanian city |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| An ammunition dump on the outskirts of the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam has exploded, causing a huge fire, panic and the ordering of a mass evacuation. | An ammunition dump on the outskirts of the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam has exploded, causing a huge fire, panic and the ordering of a mass evacuation. |
| Kenyan television reports say several people have been killed and a police commander confirmed at least one death from the blasts at a Mbagala army base. | Kenyan television reports say several people have been killed and a police commander confirmed at least one death from the blasts at a Mbagala army base. |
| Shockwaves were felt throughout the city amid at least three explosions. | Shockwaves were felt throughout the city amid at least three explosions. |
| The authorities have advised workers around the city to vacate their offices, warning of further blasts. | The authorities have advised workers around the city to vacate their offices, warning of further blasts. |
| Officials said the army planned to set off another huge explosion in an effort to contain the smaller blasts. | Officials said the army planned to set off another huge explosion in an effort to contain the smaller blasts. |
| 'Raining fire' | 'Raining fire' |
| The armoury next to the army camp, which lies 14km (nine miles) outside the city centre, is thought to have contained large amounts of ordnance, including mines and artillery shells. | The armoury next to the army camp, which lies 14km (nine miles) outside the city centre, is thought to have contained large amounts of ordnance, including mines and artillery shells. |
| This brought back memories of the US embassy explosion in 98. It felt exactly the same way BBC News website reader Ahmad class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/8025051.stm">Tanzania explosions: Eyewitnesses | |
| Several houses in the Mbagala area caught fire from raining debris and at least one person has died, said regional police commander Suleiman Kova. | Several houses in the Mbagala area caught fire from raining debris and at least one person has died, said regional police commander Suleiman Kova. |
| Our correspondent in Dar es Salaam, John Ngahyoma, says the blast caused a tremor which was felt at the BBC's offices in the city centre near the harbour. | Our correspondent in Dar es Salaam, John Ngahyoma, says the blast caused a tremor which was felt at the BBC's offices in the city centre near the harbour. |
| Officials said it was a tragic accident and not a repeat of the deadly terrorist bomb that rocked the country's main commercial centre in 1998. | Officials said it was a tragic accident and not a repeat of the deadly terrorist bomb that rocked the country's main commercial centre in 1998. |
| Near the scene of the blast, senior police officer Paul Chagonja told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme they had received an unconfirmed report some children had drowned while fleeing in the panic after the blast. | Near the scene of the blast, senior police officer Paul Chagonja told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme they had received an unconfirmed report some children had drowned while fleeing in the panic after the blast. |
| He said that a number of houses in the area had been damaged in the explosions. | He said that a number of houses in the area had been damaged in the explosions. |
| "Most of them have developed very, very big cracks and some slums have collapsed," he said. | "Most of them have developed very, very big cracks and some slums have collapsed," he said. |
| Parent fears | |
| Several BBC News website readers in Dar es Salaam said the blast reminded them of that event nearly 11 years ago. | Several BBC News website readers in Dar es Salaam said the blast reminded them of that event nearly 11 years ago. |
| "This brought back memories of the US embassy explosion in '98. It felt exactly the same way," e-mailed Ahmad, who was 40km (25 miles) from the site of the ammunition dump. | "This brought back memories of the US embassy explosion in '98. It felt exactly the same way," e-mailed Ahmad, who was 40km (25 miles) from the site of the ammunition dump. |
| Others said it seemed like an earthquake. | Others said it seemed like an earthquake. |
| "It was so powerful that our building shook and the windows were forced open by the impact," wrote Nipun from the city centre. | "It was so powerful that our building shook and the windows were forced open by the impact," wrote Nipun from the city centre. |
| "We all stood still for a while wondering if it was an earthquake or something else." | "We all stood still for a while wondering if it was an earthquake or something else." |
| Deputy Minister for Defence and Security Emmanuel Nchimbi has cautioned residents to stay away from the area and to vacate all tall buildings as a precautionary measure. | Deputy Minister for Defence and Security Emmanuel Nchimbi has cautioned residents to stay away from the area and to vacate all tall buildings as a precautionary measure. |
| Residents say the evacuation has lead to deadlocked streets. | Residents say the evacuation has lead to deadlocked streets. |
| "The city is in complete chaos as all persons in skyscrapers and other tall building have been ordered to evacuate causing huge traffic jams and confusion," Niklas Rogers told the BBC. | "The city is in complete chaos as all persons in skyscrapers and other tall building have been ordered to evacuate causing huge traffic jams and confusion," Niklas Rogers told the BBC. |
| Other Dar es Salaam residents told the BBC there is a school in the area of the explosion. | Other Dar es Salaam residents told the BBC there is a school in the area of the explosion. |
| "They are told to evacuate, [but] the confusion is for those who don't know where their children are," said Henry Amos Tandau. | "They are told to evacuate, [but] the confusion is for those who don't know where their children are," said Henry Amos Tandau. |
| Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosion? Let us know your experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? Did you witness the explosion? Let us know your experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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