At Least 150 Killed in Congo Blasts

A plume of smoke can be seen over Brazzaville from across the Congo River. Photo by heraldsun.com.au

A series of blasts in the Republic of Congo capital Brazzaville has left at least 150 people dead, according to authorities.

Hundreds more are reported to have been injured in the explosions.

The series of powerful explosions took place at an arms depot in the Regiment Blinde base in the riverside neighbourhood of Mpila. China's Xinhua reports that at least four Chinese workers were among those killed and that dozens of others were injured.

According to Congo's Defense Minister Charles Zacharie Bowao, the blasts had been caused by a fire. Bowao appeared on national TV to urge calm in Brazzaville and across the Congo river in Kinshasa.

"The explosions that you have heard don't mean there is a war or a coup d'etat," he said, as cited by BBC.

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