17 Feb 2011

Fatal blasts at munitions dump in Tanzania

10:09 pm on 17 February 2011

At least 32 people have been killed in multiple explosions after an accident at a munitions dump in Tanzania's commercial capital, according to officials.

The blasts lasted several hours at the Gongola Mboto military base in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, the BBC reports.

Residents were encouraged to stay inside their homes and away from windows after the explosions.

Debris was hurled across the city and chief of staff General Abdurahman Shimbo said 32 people had been killed.

Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda told parliament that 4000 people had sought shelter at a stadium following the disaster and warned the death toll may rise.