Cyprus blast described as ‘biblical disaster’

At least 11 people have been killed after a massive explosion ripped through a military base in Cyprus.

The blast – described as a disaster of “biblical proportions” – has also knocked out the island’s largest electricity station, causing widespread power cuts.

The Evangelos Florakis naval base lies between the towns of Limassol and Larnaca in the south of Cyprus.

Reports said two containers of explosives in a munitions dump caught fire in the early hours of the morning. There were 98 containers in the depot. One eyewitness reportedly described the blast as like a “sonic boom”.

State television said the explosions caused extensive damage to properties in the area and sparked wildfires in surrounding scrubland in the extremely dry summer conditions.

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