Two killed, 45 injured, in Afghan ammunition depot explosion

A huge explosion ripped through a depot of confiscated munitions in central Afghanistan, killing two people and injuring 45, and damaging scores of houses.

Last night’s blast ripped through the depot in Jabalussaraj district of Parwan province. It contained weapons and ammunition gathered as part of a UN-backed programme to disarm Afghan warlords. An Afghan army base is located nearby.

Gen. Sher Mohammed Karimi, chief of operations at the Defence Ministry, ruled out sabotage.

He said initial investigations indicated the blast was caused by a spark from an electricity cable that crossed over the depot.

Parwan province Gov. Abdul Jabar Taqwa said a soldier and a civilian were killed. He said the wounded included 16 soldiers, but many of those hurt were women living in a neighbouring village.

He said there was a huge initial explosion, followed by smaller blasts. 177 houses were damaged.

Jabalussaraj lies about 50 miles north of the capital Kabul.