Albanian arms dump blasts kill 5, devastate area

By Benet Koleka

TIRANA (Reuters) - An Albanian army base stocking obsolete munitions for destruction blew up in a chain of massive blasts on Saturday killing at least five people and injuring more than 240.

"This is not the final number of the dead, there might be others," Prime Minister Sali Berisha said in a televised news conference. "The search will resume at daylight because night has fallen and shells are still exploding."

Five people were confirmed dead and some 243 injured, and rescue teams were scouring the devastated scene. Hospitals took in scores of injured suffering burns, concussion, broken limbs, or cuts from flying glass and shrapnel.

Many were hurt as shockwaves from the blast hit nearby villages and cars passing by on the adjacent highway. More than half of the wounded were being treated in hospitals.

The blasts began as workers moved stocks of bombs, bullets and shells stored at the base, a collection point for the arsenal amassed by Albania's Stalinist-era dictatorship.

Dismantling its obsolete arsenal and reforming the army has been a condition for Albania to join NATO. Tirana hopes to be invited to join next month.

Berisha said he believed the country's bid for membership would not be affected by the accident.

"The stock of 100,000 tonnes of 40-50 years old ammunition is one of our most serious problems," Berisha said. "One thing is certain, Albania must get rid of this dangerous inheritance."