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Scores Feared Dead in Albanian Explosions

Posted Mar 15, 08 12:04 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – A series of massive explosions rocked an Albanian army base today, where teams were working to dismantle obsolete Soviet-era munitions, Reuters reports. More than 170 were injured, with at least four confirmed dead. “We do not know the exact number” of casualties, said the prime minister, “but we fear the worst for the three teams working there at the time.”

Police and army forces rushed to the base in armored cars, as people fled along the highway on foot. Helicopters were unable to land because of the continuing explosions. Flights from the capital–just 8 miles away–were delayed for 30 minutes. So far the cause of the blast is unclear. “I do not exclude human error,” said the prime minister.

Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Associated Press

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An injured man is helped out of a car as he arrives at a military hospital in Tirana, following an explosion at an army base near Vora, eight miles north of the capital Tirana, on March 15, 2008.   (GENT SHKULAKU/AFP/Getty Images)
Emergency services are seen near the site of a powerful explosion at an army depot in Gerdec village, Albania.   (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
A police officer stands guard as smoke billows near the site of a powerful explosion at an army depot in Gerdec village, Albania.   (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
Emergency services are seen near the site of a powerful explosion at an army depot in Gerdec village, 6 miles north of Tirana, Albania.   (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
A police officer stands guard as smoke billows near the site of a powerful explosion at an army depot in Gerdec village, about 6 miles north of Tirana, Albania.   (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
A man is taken to hospital after an explosion at an army depot near Albania's capital, Tirana, Saturday.   (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
Albanian army officers stand guard as fire is seen at the site of a powerful explosion at an army depot in Gerdec village, Albania.   (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
A man is taken to hospital after an explosion at an army depot near Albania's capital, Tirana, Saturday, March 15, 2008.   (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)
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