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Major fire at Russia arms depot Major fire at Russia arms depot
(40 minutes later)
At least one person is said to have died and about 35 are missing after a series of explosions at an arms depot in central Russia. At least two people have been killed after a series of explosions at an arms depot in central Russia, officials say.
A fire at a defence ministry arsenal on the outskirts of Ulyanovsk caused blasts which shattered windows of nearby homes, local reports said. A fire at a defence ministry navy arsenal on the outskirts of the city of Ulyanovsk caused blasts which shattered windows of nearby homes.
Some 3,000 people have been evacuated from the surrounding area, the local governor is quoted as saying. But officials now say that 43 people missing feared dead have been found safe in a bomb shelter near the site.
The depot is about 900km (550 miles) south-east of the capital Moscow. Some 3,000 people were evacuated from the surrounding area, the local governor was quoted as saying.
"According to preliminary information, there were 40 people in the workshop, around 35 of which are currently listed as missing," Ulyanovsk's governor, Sergei Morozov, was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency. The depot is about 900km (550 miles) south-east of the capital, Moscow.
He also said that at least 10 people were taken to hospital.
Station closedStation closed
Explosions at the Arsenal No.31 continued into the night, with TV footage of the area showing intermittent blasts sending thick plumes of smoke high into the air. Two firefighters died at the Arsenal 31 depot after the blasts, Ulyanovsk Governor Sergei Morozov told the BBC.
Footage of explosions at the Ulyanovsk arms depot Mr Morozov was earlier quoted in Russian media as saying that at least 10 people were taken to hospital.
The ministry of defence said that 43 missing people had been found safe and well in the bomb shelter.
Explosions at the depot continued into the night, with TV footage of the area showing intermittent blasts sending thick plumes of smoke high into the air.
The fire started at around 1600 local time (1300 GMT) while ammunition was being disposed of at the site, the regional Federal Security Service were reported as saying by Itar-Tass news agency.The fire started at around 1600 local time (1300 GMT) while ammunition was being disposed of at the site, the regional Federal Security Service were reported as saying by Itar-Tass news agency.
Firefighters at the scene were battling the blaze several hours after it started.Firefighters at the scene were battling the blaze several hours after it started.
A large exclusion zone has been set up around the depot.A large exclusion zone has been set up around the depot.
The Federal Security Service advised Ulyanovsk residents to buy gauze masks and stock up on drinking water, but added that the situation was under control.The Federal Security Service advised Ulyanovsk residents to buy gauze masks and stock up on drinking water, but added that the situation was under control.
However, Mr Morozov was quoted by Russia's Vesti-24 television as saying that such measures were unnecessary because no chemical weapons were involved in the explosions.However, Mr Morozov was quoted by Russia's Vesti-24 television as saying that such measures were unnecessary because no chemical weapons were involved in the explosions.
A railway station 3km (1.8 miles) away from the depot was closed as a result of the fire, the report said.A railway station 3km (1.8 miles) away from the depot was closed as a result of the fire, the report said.
The depot was reportedly housing conventional munitions. A criminal investigation into the accident is under way.
Ulyanovsk sits beside the Volga river and is the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin.Ulyanovsk sits beside the Volga river and is the birthplace of Vladimir Lenin.
Are you in Ulyanovsk? Have you seen the fire? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your comments and your pictures.Are you in Ulyanovsk? Have you seen the fire? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your comments and your pictures.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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