A series of blasts at a Tanzania military munitions dump in Dar-es-Salaam killed at least 20 people yesterday evening.
The explosions flattened neighbouring buildings and sent thousands of local residents fleeing in panic.
Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda told parliament this morning that 4,000 people had sought shelter at the national stadium.
'The death toll might rise when we ascertain the full extent of the damage caused by the explosions,' Mr Pinda said in a statement to parliament.
Reuters television footage showed badly wounded victims. One child had facial injuries and another had shrapnel protruding from his lower back.
Several others were rushed to local hospitals having suffered broken bones or severed limbs.
The blasts scattered debris across densely populated neighbourhoods several kilometres from the military base.
Defence Minister Hussein Mwinyi told Reuters the explosions had stopped but officials had yet to determine the cause.
Some 23 munitions depots, a secondary school and two houses were badly damaged in the explosions at the Gongo la Mboto military base in Ilala district.
The blasts forced the closure of the main Dar-es-Salaam international airport, which is nearby.
