12 Killed From Munitions Ship Explosion

Mari, Cyprus A cargo ship packed with munitions and explosives caught fire at the Evangelos Florakis Naval Base. The fire caused the explosives to detonate thereby leveling nearby houses and breaking windows and doors from the resulting blast waves. Twelve people reportedly died and dozens of others were injured as a result of the explosion. The explosion also caused significant damage to a nearby power plant which resulted in the loss of power for thousands of local residents.

The ammunition and explosives on-board the ship were reportedly confiscated in early 2009 from a cargo ship sailing from Iran to Syria. The 2009 seizure was carried out in line with the United Nations Security Council's arms embargo on Iran over its nuclear program. The cause of the fire is under investigation but officials have not ruled out a forest fire as the cause.