Naval base explosion in Cyprus kills at least 12, 60 injured

At least 12 people were killed and 60 injured after a massive explosion ripped through a naval base yesterday.

12 July 2011, 12:00am

The naval base in Cyprus was blown up when a bush fire spread to the base and set light to 2,000 tons of confiscated Iranian gunpowder stored at the munitions dump.

According to news media, two Cypriot navy sailors, two soldiers and five firefighters were among those killed. According to police, the explosion at the Evangelos Florakis navy base killed the navy chief.

The shockwaves could be heard some 40 miles away. The island’s main electricity generator, the Vasiliko power station, was also badly damaged.