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Sudan arms factory hit by explosions and fire | Sudan arms factory hit by explosions and fire |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Fire has engulfed an arms factory in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, following an explosion. | Fire has engulfed an arms factory in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, following an explosion. |
Khartoum governor Abdul Rahman al-Khidir told state media that no-one had died but that some people had suffered smoke inhalation. | Khartoum governor Abdul Rahman al-Khidir told state media that no-one had died but that some people had suffered smoke inhalation. |
The reason for the blast at the Yarmouk industrial complex in the south of the city is not yet clear. | The reason for the blast at the Yarmouk industrial complex in the south of the city is not yet clear. |
Flames also spread to nearby buildings causing panic among local residents, local media said. | Flames also spread to nearby buildings causing panic among local residents, local media said. |
"There was a very loud explosion and you can see now a huge fire," one resident told Reuters news agency. | "There was a very loud explosion and you can see now a huge fire," one resident told Reuters news agency. |
'Flashes of white light' | |
Armed forces spokesman Col Al-Sawarmi Khalid said the explosion set light to surrounding grass and trees sending flames over a wide area, state news agency Suna reported. | Armed forces spokesman Col Al-Sawarmi Khalid said the explosion set light to surrounding grass and trees sending flames over a wide area, state news agency Suna reported. |
He said civil defence forces had contained the fire. | He said civil defence forces had contained the fire. |
"Investigations are under way to determine the causes of the explosion as well as assessing human and material loss," he said. | "Investigations are under way to determine the causes of the explosion as well as assessing human and material loss," he said. |
Witnesses reported seeing two or three fires with dense smoke and intermittent flashes of white light. | Witnesses reported seeing two or three fires with dense smoke and intermittent flashes of white light. |
Mr Khidir, governor of Khartoum state, told local TV that the explosion had occurred at midnight. | Mr Khidir, governor of Khartoum state, told local TV that the explosion had occurred at midnight. |
"There are losses in the building and the authorities are investigating the cause. A preliminary investigation says the explosion happened in a store room," he said. | "There are losses in the building and the authorities are investigating the cause. A preliminary investigation says the explosion happened in a store room," he said. |
Mr Khidir said some people had been taken to hospitals suffering smoke inhalation but otherwise there were no casualties. | Mr Khidir said some people had been taken to hospitals suffering smoke inhalation but otherwise there were no casualties. |
In 1998, the US launched a missile attack on a pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum, alleging that it was making materials for chemical weapons. | |
Sudan denied the allegation, insisting that the US had attacked a factory that manufactured anti-malaria medicines and veterinary products in defiance of international laws. | |
Are you in the area? You can send us your experiences using the form below. | Are you in the area? You can send us your experiences using the form below. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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