Navy Commander, 11 others killed in Cyprus's naval base blast

[emezico]

A massive blast at a munitions dump in southern Cyprus has killed 12 people, including the commander of the country's navy, officials say.

A fire reportedly ignited about 100 containers holding confiscated Iranian explosives at the naval base at Zygi.

The fire spread to the island's largest power station. It has been knocked out, resulting in widespread power cuts.

Defence Minister Costas Papacostas and National Guard Chief Petros Tsalikides resigned over the accident.

President Dimitris Christopfias, who went to the area, described the explosion as "a catastrophe of biblical proportions".

He added: "We were devastated by this event, not so much by the material damage, but by the loss of human lives and the injury of many of our compatriots."

The dead also include the commander of the Evangelos Florakis naval base, police said. About 60 people were wounded in the blast.

Government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said sabotage had been ruled out.

BBC