Russia evacuates thousands as munitions explode in fire

Fire trucks are seen on the road as smoke rises from the site of a fire at an ammunition depot in Ryazan Region, Russia Oct. 7, 2020. RUSSIAN EMERGENCIES MINISTRY IN RYAZAN REGION/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS
Fire trucks are seen on the road as smoke rises from the site of a fire at an ammunition depot in Ryazan Region, Russia Oct. 7, 2020. RUSSIAN EMERGENCIES MINISTRY IN RYAZAN REGION/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

MOSCOW – Russia on Wednesday evacuated more than 2,000 people from nearby villages after a wildfire set off explosions at a munitions depot in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow, officials said.

More than 400 firefighters were battling into the evening to extinguish a blaze that broke out at the depot on Wednesday afternoon, with the authorities saying five people were injured but no one died.

The fire was sparked by a wildfire in dry grass nearby, the emergencies ministry said, causing munitions to explode continuously.

The Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal probe into potential breaches of rules on handling weapons.(AFP)

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