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  • Albania explosion: mass casualties

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Albania explosion: mass casualties

At least five people have been killed and more than 240 injured in an explosion at an Albanian army ammunition dump.The initial blast at the depot at Gerdec village, about ten kilometres (six miles) north of the capital, Tirana, set off a series of explosions which continued for hours.The blast was heard more than 50 kilometres (30 miles) away, and sent people fleeing from nearby villages.Police said the cause of the explosion was not immediately clear, but terrorism was not suspected.Authorities have evacuated the surrounding area and explosives experts will clear the area of any remaining ammunition over the next few days.Health Minister Nard Ndoka said many of those injured in the blasts were children.The army depot is used as a location to destroy excess ammunition.Albania has some 100,000 tons of excess ammunition stored in former army depots across the country, according to Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

ITN | March 16, 2008Watch more videos from ITN

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