Two die as explosions rock Russian ammunition depot

At least two people are dead and others injured as an explosion causes a fireball and serious fire at an ammunition depot in Russia.

Thirty-five people were also reported to have been missing but officials have since confirmed that they have been found. The blast happened at an ammunition depot near the city of Ulyanovsk, on the banks of the River Volga. The country's Federal Security Service said that the fires and blasts, which lasted for several hours, were caused as ammunition at the depot was being destroyed. Provincial Governor Sergei Morozov said that ten people has been taken to hospital. He also reported that around 3,000 people from the surrounding area had been evacuated. It was also reported that traffic in the area had gridlocked as people tried to flee the area. Houses in the area were reported to have had their windows blown out by the force of the blasts.

Viewers watching TV saw pictures of fire lighting up the sky above the city while it was described as being like a giant firework display by eyewitnesses.