Explosion at south Russia ammunition depot leaves 6 dead

[News_Editor]

Explosion at south Russia ammunition depot leaves 6 dead

2011-08-24 02:55:15 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- At least six servicemen were killed and 12 were injured on Tuesday in an explosion at a weapons testing ground in the southern Russian region of Astrakhan, a regional police source told Itar-Tass news agency.

"The explosion happened in the disposal of old munitions. Six servicemen died instantly. Twelve were injured. Information about casualties is being updated," he said.

"There is a theory that the explosion might have happened by neglect of safety rules," he added.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, but an investigation is underway.

In early June, at least 2 people died and over 50 were injured as a series of explosions at an artillery arsenal in Russia's Volga region near the village of Pugachevo in the Republic of Udmurtia forced thousands to evacuate the area. Days earlier, a series of explosions detonated at another military arms depot in the republic of Bashkortostan, where 160 people lost their homes.

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