Blast rips through Cyprus munitions dump, 11 dead

At least 11 people were killed in a series of blasts at a munitions dump at the main Greek Cypriot naval base at Zygi in the south of the Mediterranean island early on Monday.

Emergency personnel stand near a destroyed fire engine and bodies at the scene of a large explosion at a military base in southern Cyprus 11 July 2011 Reuters/Andreas Manolis

The official CNA news agency said five fire-fighters, four members of the Greek Cypriot National Guard and two sailors were killed, citing military sources.

Local radio said at least 30 people were injured in the explosions which struck among weapons seized from an Iranian shipment aboard a Cypriot-flagged vessel in 2009.

It said that it was the worst peace-time military accident in the island's history.

Fire from the explosions spread to the nearby Vassilikou power station, causing widespread electricity cuts.

Witnesses told the radio of a scene of devastation in the adjacent fishing village whose seafront restaurants are popular with the many tourists who frequent the resort island.

Commerce Minister Antonis Paschalides told the radio it was a "tragedy of Biblical dimensions".