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Europe
Albanian blast may have killed 160
2008-03-16
As many as 160 people may have died in Albania Saturday when a powerful explosion ripped an army depot outside Tirana, officials said. While exact casualty figures were unknown, a spokeswoman for Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said officials were concerned U.S. citizens working at the military site may have been among the victims of the large blast, The Guardian reported. "We do not know the exact number, but we fear the worst for the three teams, each of 21 people, working there at the time," spokeswoman Juela Mecani said. "Several were U.S. citizens." Officials at the U.S. embassy in the Albanian capital had no news regarding the condition of U.S. citizens reportedly at the blast site, the BBC said.

Meanwhile, Sky News said the explosion was so powerful windows on homes six miles away were blown out by the ensuing shock wave. The capital's international airport also suffered damage from the powerful concussion, the British broadcaster added.
Posted by:Fred

#4  It sounds like a good old fashioned ammo dump explosion. We have them more often than we like to admit, but usualy without such a high body count. Google FOB Falcon for an example.

I hope that the safety standards we are planning on teaching these guys eventualy sinks in. Inshallah safety protocalls and high explosives are not a good mix.
Posted by: N guard   2008-03-16 17:28  

#3  video from bbc
Posted by: 3dc   2008-03-16 11:08  

#2  Old munitions they were trying to destroy. Several Americans were there as advisors.
Posted by: lotp   2008-03-16 10:07  

#1  Sabotage, or inshallah safety procedures?
Posted by: Glenmore   2008-03-16 09:47  

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