At least 12 people have been killed in massive explosions at a military base in southern Cyprus.
The Cyprus News Agency reported that at least 30 people were injured at the Evangelos Florakis base in Zygi, which is between the coastal cities of Limassol and Larnaca.
It is believed the blasts occurred in a dump housing munitions that Cyprus had confiscated from a vessel heading to Syria from Iran in 2009.
Local radio said that the fire brigade were called to a blaze near the base at 4.24am (2.24am Irish time) and that the explosions followed at 5.50am (3.50am Irish time).
CNA news agency said that five fire fighters are among the dead.
Fire from the blast spread to Vassilikos, an electricity facility that provides Cyprus with half of its power.
'We can't assess the extent of the damage, but it's a biblical disaster,' government spokesman Costas Gavrielides said.
It is the worst peace-time military accident in the island's history.
Witnesses told local radio of a scene of devastation in the adjacent fishing village whose seafront restaurants are popular with the many tourists who frequent the island.
Cars, houses and restaurants suffered massive damage from the force of the blasts, the witnesses said.
