Residents killed as ammunition dump explodes in Tanzania

At least 20 people were killed when a military ammunition depot in Tanzania’s largest city blew up in a series of explosions.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Feb 2011, 06:00 BST

The blasts flattened homes and left more than 140 people injured, starting on late Wednesday and continued through most of the night. Thousands ran for their lives from blasts that were felt 12 miles away.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda said several houses and a school were destroyed in the explosions as huge orange bursts lit up the night sky over Dar es Salaam.

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Shrapnel showered parts of the city 10 miles from the Gongola Mboto military base where the depot was located.

It was at least the second such ammunition depot explosion at a military base in Dar es Salaam since 2009. Military spokesman Lt Col Kapambala Mgawe said the explosions were accidental but gave no details.

The blasts closed the city’s international airport, near the Gongola Mboto military base and a KLM tourist flight had to be diverted.

Some 4,000 residents were evacuated to the national stadium in Dar es Salaam, which lies along the Indian Ocean in East Africa.

Related topics:Residents