Huge blasts as Russian arms depot in Siberia explodes

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) -Thousands of people have been evacuated from villages around a military base in Siberia after a series of massive explosions at its ammunition store.

At least eight people including service personnel were injured in the blasts near the town of Achinsk. Three of the injured were being treated in hospital.

The depot reportedly contained tens of thousands of artillery shells.

Witnesses posted videos of balls of flame and black smoke, starting during the day and continuing after dark.

A state of emergency was declared in the area, west of the city of Krasnoyarsk.

Children at a nearby summer camp were taken to safety while soldiers at the base took refuge in bomb shelters.

About 3,000 people were moved, but Achinsk town officials told Tass news agency that 11,000 more residents were being prepared for evacuation.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. (Foreign Media Reports)