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Explosions rip through an arms depot in Russia's city of Ulyanovsk - Source: Reuters
At least two people have been killed after a chain of explosions ripped apart a Russian arms depot, shattering windows for miles around and forcing the evacuation of 3,000 people.
Russia's Federal Security Service says a fire broke out when soldiers attempted to decommission munitions at navy Arsenal No. 31 on the outskirts of Ulyanovsk, a city of 625,000 people, 800 km southeast of Moscow.
The fire raged for at least five hours, lighting up the evening sky above the city, according to a witness who says the windows of houses several kilometres away were shattered by the force of the blasts.
A Defence Ministry spokesman says two people were killed and seven injured.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has ordered officials to ensure civilians were properly evacuated.
Ulyanovsk Governor Sergei Morozov says more than 40 people who were feared dead had been found alive and well in a bomb shelter at the depot.
"I am extremely happy that more than 40 people escaped from that warehouse because they were exactly those people we considered were missing."
Morozov says he does not see any "particular cause for concern" for local residents.
"The dangerous radius is not more than 7 kilometres," Morozov has told Vesti-24 state television.
Witnesses have compared the blast to a giant firework display, visible from 15 km away.
At least 400 firefighters battled the flames for hours.
Russia's poorly trained and badly paid military has suffered frequent accidents with their ageing equipment in recent years.
Western military attaches say safety standards are low.
Previous mishaps in the Russian armed forces have sometimes led to sackings of senior generals and military officials.
The Prosecutor-General's main investigative unit says a criminal case has been opened for negligence and breaching rules on handling weapons.
Russia's navy chief, Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky, has flown to the region to head a commission looking into the accident.
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