CARACAS: At least one person was killed and several injured in northern Venezuela early Sunday when a series of powerful explosions shook an arms and munitions depot, officials said.
The arsenal is located in the city of Maracay, in Aragua state. All residents living within five kilometers (3.1 miles) of the munitions dump, about 10,000 people, were evacuated, state governor Rafael Isea said.
"All government agencies, civil protection services, and fire departments are currently working in the area," said Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami, appearing on national television. "The situation has not yet been brought under control."
Defense Minister Carlos Mata Figueroa said the arsenal was first jolted by a large explosion, which had triggered a chain of smaller blasts that were continuing, with munitions explosions preventing emergency equipment and personnel from reaching the facility.
The cause of the blaze, at state military arms firm CAVIM and visible for several kilometers, remained unknown.
The arsenal is located in the city of Maracay, in Aragua state. All residents living within five kilometers (3.1 miles) of the munitions dump, about 10,000 people, were evacuated, state governor Rafael Isea said.
"All government agencies, civil protection services, and fire departments are currently working in the area," said Interior Minister Tareck El Aissami, appearing on national television. "The situation has not yet been brought under control."
Defense Minister Carlos Mata Figueroa said the arsenal was first jolted by a large explosion, which had triggered a chain of smaller blasts that were continuing, with munitions explosions preventing emergency equipment and personnel from reaching the facility.
The cause of the blaze, at state military arms firm CAVIM and visible for several kilometers, remained unknown.
"We are waiting for explosions to end to begin our investigation," Mata Figueroa said on VTV.
Aragua state governor Rafael Isea verified there was at least one fatality.
"Sadly, a woman was exposed to the blast and died," he said.
The governor earlier said he had been informed that some 40 people were injured by shrapnel or bullets, but later recanted and said the figure was far lower.
At least three people were admitted to nearby hospitals, said the director of civil protection services Luis Diaz Curbelo.
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