At least 17 die in Tanzanian army base explosions

A series of explosions at a Tanzanian army base have killed at least 17 people, it was confirmed on Thursday. Some reports put the toll as high as 32.

The blasts, which went off inside the Gombo la Mboto army base in Dar es Salaam, levelled several arms depots and injured 145 people. It is the second such incident in two years.

"By this morning, there were 13 bodies at Amana hospital, two at Temeke hospital and two more at Muhimbili national hospital," Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda told parliament, in a session that was aired live on state radio.

An investigation into the incident is underway but there is no indication of foul play.

In April 2009, 26 people were killed and hundreds were wounded by a number of accidental blasts at an arms depot in Dar es Salaam.

The blasts two years ago took place in the Mbagala district, around 13 kilometres from the city centre, and set off rockets, artillery and mortar shells.