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/africa/8026929.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Hundreds hurt by Tanzania blast Hundreds hurt by Tanzania blast
(about 2 hours later)
More than 300 people, some critically injured, remain in hospital a day after the massive armoury blast near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's biggest city. More than 300 people, some critically injured, remain in hospital a day after the massive armoury explosion near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania's biggest city.
Officials said the death toll had gone up to five and could rise again. Three army personnel are reportedly missing. Officials said the death toll has risen to 11, including six army officers killed at the ammunition dump.
Investigations are under way into the cause of the explosion next to an army base on the outskirts of the city. One child drowned jumping into a river in the panic and hundreds more have still not been reunited with parents.
Hundreds of children who fled in the panic after the Mbagala ordnance depot incident are reportedly still missing. Investigations are under way into the cause of the blast next to the military base on the outskirts of the city.
President Jakaya Kikwete visited the site on Thursday a day after the blast which caused mass panic amid fears of a repeat of the deadly 1998 US Embassy bombing in the country's main commercial centre. President Jakaya Kikwete visited the Mbagala ordnance depot on Thursday, a day after the blast which caused mass panic and flashbacks of the deadly 1998 US Embassy bombing in the country's main commercial centre.
Most of the children were running without knowing where they were going Suleiman KovaPolice commander UK medic's first day from hell Tanzania explosions: EyewitnessesMost of the children were running without knowing where they were going Suleiman KovaPolice commander UK medic's first day from hell Tanzania explosions: Eyewitnesses
"The death toll may be higher since we are still compiling reports and search is going on in collapsed and burnt down buildings," Dar es Salaam police commander Suleiman Kova told journalists, reported AFP news agency. Dar es Salaam police commander Suleiman Kova told journalists: "The death toll may be higher since we are still compiling reports and search is going on in collapsed and burnt down buildings," reported AFP news agency.
The BBC's Vicky Ntetema has visited two temporary camps set up by the Red Cross on the outskirts of the city to reunite missing children with their parents. Criminals took advantage of the mayhem to loot the army barracks and surrounding civilian homes, said the authorities.
She said that 250 youngsters were at the camps this morning and a few dozen remain unaccounted for. The BBC's Vicky Ntetema says more than 1,000 people were injured, a third of whom were admitted in various hospitals with multiple injuries.
But many parents who visited the camps said their children were still missing, says our correspondent, and there are unconfirmed reports 750 youngsters still have not been found. She visited two temporary camps set up by the Red Cross on the outskirts of the city to reunite missing children with their parents where nearly 300 youngsters remained unaccounted for this morning.
Eyewitnesses said a number of panicking children drowned while fleeing into a swollen river near the blast site. Our correspondent says many parents are still desperately looking for their children.
Some children fled for more than 15km (nine miles) after they were advised by the police and army to leave Mbagala township for their own safety.
"Most of them were running without knowing where they were going. They were assisted to the camp by some good people and parents are advised to report for missing children," Mr Kova added, reported AFP."Most of them were running without knowing where they were going. They were assisted to the camp by some good people and parents are advised to report for missing children," Mr Kova added, reported AFP.
In the immediate aftermath of the explosions, the Tanzanian government ordered the evacuation of high-rise buildings and offices as a precaution.In the immediate aftermath of the explosions, the Tanzanian government ordered the evacuation of high-rise buildings and offices as a precaution.
Shockwaves from no fewer than three explosions lasting at least two hours were felt throughout the city.Shockwaves from no fewer than three explosions lasting at least two hours were felt throughout the city.
The armoury next to the army camp, which lies 14km (nine miles) outside the city centre, is thought to have contained large amounts of 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 mines and artillery shells.
A number of homes in residential areas were destroyed by raining fiery debris.A number of homes in residential areas were destroyed by raining fiery debris.
One person was reportedly killed by shrapnel about 15km (10 miles) from the ammunition dump. One person was reportedly killed by shrapnel about 15km from the ammunition dump.
Other army depots have blown up in Africa in recent years.
In March 2007, an explosion on the outskirts of the Mozambican capital, Maputo, killed more than 90 people and more than 400 were injured.
And in January 2002 an ammunition dump in Lagos blew up, sending mortars crashing down on Nigeria's economic capital, and leaving more than 1,000 dead.