At least two people were killed today following a chain of explosions at a Russian arms depot, shattering windows for miles around and forcing the evacuation of 3,000 people.
Russia's Federal Security Service said a fire broke out at 1300 GMT when soldiers attempted to decommission munitions at the depot on the outskirts of Ulyanovsk, 800 km southeast of Moscow.
The fire raged for at least five hours, lighting up the evening sky above the city, said a witness who added the windows of houses several kilometres away were shattered by the force of the blasts.
A defence ministry spokesman said two people were killed and seven injured.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered officials to ensure civilians were properly evacuated.
Ulyanovsk governor Sergei Morozov said more than 40 people who had been feared dead had been found alive and well in a bomb shelter at the depot.
I am extremely happy that more than 40 people escaped from that warehouse because they were exactly those people we considered were missing," Mr Morozov said in comments broadcast on Russia's First Channel television.
Mr Morozov said he did not see any "particular cause for concern" for local residents.
"The dangerous radius is not more than 7 kilometres," Mr Morozov told Vesti-24 state television.
Witnesses compared the blast to a giant firework display, visible from 15 km away. At least 400 firefighters battled the flames for hours. At least two military firemen were killed, the defence ministry said.
Reuters