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Mozambique explosions kill nine Dozens dead in Mozambique blasts
(about 3 hours later)
A series of explosions at a weapons depot in Mozambique has killed at least nine people, state media say. At least 72 people have been confirmed dead after a series of explosions at a weapons depot in Mozambique, government officials say.
The blasts occurred near Maputo international airport. Thousands of people fled the area as shells and shrapnel were hurled into the air. Thousands of people fled as the blasts near Maputo international airport threw shells and shrapnel into the air.
It is the second time in less than two months that aging explosives in the arsenal have detonated. More than 100 people were injured in the blasts, as the initial blasts caused further detonations.
It was the second time in less than two months that aging explosives in the arsenal have detonated.
President Armano Guebuza appealed for calm and said the military was investigating the cause.President Armano Guebuza appealed for calm and said the military was investigating the cause.
"Our defence forces are working to assess the situation. We call upon all our citizens to be calm until the situation is rectified," he said on national TV.
Huge cache
Officials blamed the high summer temperatures for the previous explosions.Officials blamed the high summer temperatures for the previous explosions.
Twenty tonnes of obsolete equipment have been awaiting destruction.Twenty tonnes of obsolete equipment have been awaiting destruction.
The weapons depot near the neighbourhood of Magoanine is the largest in Mozambique, reports said.
"It's the biggest armoury in the country. It contains thousands of tonnes of weapons and ammunition," Miguel Barreiro, a United Nations official in charge of the country's disarmament program, told the AFP news agency.