Government: 60 feared killed in Sri Lanka blast
(AP) 1 hour ago
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka A government spokesman says 60 people are feared killed in an accidental blast of explosives meant for road construction in Sri Lanka's east. Two Chinese nationals are among those killed.
Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Ubaya Medawala says three containers carrying dynamite that were being stored at a police station for safety reasons exploded accidentally Friday in the eastern Batticaloa district.
He says the explosives were for road construction being carried out by a Chinese firm.
He says police personnel, civilians and two Chinese construction workers are among those killed in the blast.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) An accidental blast triggered by industrial dynamite intended for use in road construction killed more than 20 people Friday in eastern Sri Lanka, including two Chinese nationals, a government spokesman said.
The blast took place in the Batticaloa district, a former conflict area where the government has initiated a major construction drive following the end of the war with the Tamil Tiger rebels last year, said Lakshman Hulugalla, a military spokesman.
The blast occurred outside the police station in Karadiyanaru, a small town in the east, where two containers containing dynamite were parked, officials said.
At least 20 people were killed, including two construction workers from China, and the station suffered significant damage, said police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody. He feared several police officers were among the dead.
The explosives were to be used in a road construction project being carried out by a Chinese firm, Hulugalla said.
Hulugalla ruled out any possibility of sabotage: "It is an accidental explosion."
The area was once controlled by the now defeated Tamil Tiger rebels, who carried out hundreds of bombings against government targets and civilians.
The government has launched reconstruction projects to build roads, reservoirs and other infrastructure in the region.
The Associated Press: Government: 60 feared killed in Sri Lanka blast
(AP) 1 hour ago
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka A government spokesman says 60 people are feared killed in an accidental blast of explosives meant for road construction in Sri Lanka's east. Two Chinese nationals are among those killed.
Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Ubaya Medawala says three containers carrying dynamite that were being stored at a police station for safety reasons exploded accidentally Friday in the eastern Batticaloa district.
He says the explosives were for road construction being carried out by a Chinese firm.
He says police personnel, civilians and two Chinese construction workers are among those killed in the blast.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) An accidental blast triggered by industrial dynamite intended for use in road construction killed more than 20 people Friday in eastern Sri Lanka, including two Chinese nationals, a government spokesman said.
The blast took place in the Batticaloa district, a former conflict area where the government has initiated a major construction drive following the end of the war with the Tamil Tiger rebels last year, said Lakshman Hulugalla, a military spokesman.
The blast occurred outside the police station in Karadiyanaru, a small town in the east, where two containers containing dynamite were parked, officials said.
At least 20 people were killed, including two construction workers from China, and the station suffered significant damage, said police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody. He feared several police officers were among the dead.
The explosives were to be used in a road construction project being carried out by a Chinese firm, Hulugalla said.
Hulugalla ruled out any possibility of sabotage: "It is an accidental explosion."
The area was once controlled by the now defeated Tamil Tiger rebels, who carried out hundreds of bombings against government targets and civilians.
The government has launched reconstruction projects to build roads, reservoirs and other infrastructure in the region.
The Associated Press: Government: 60 feared killed in Sri Lanka blast
