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Two killed, eight injured in explosions in eastern Ukraine

Xinhua, October 30, 2015 Adjust font size:

At least two people were killed and eight others were injured in a series of explosions taking place at an ammunition depot in eastern Ukraine late Thursday, authorities said Friday.

"Two people were confirmed dead. Four soldiers and four civilians were wounded and they are receiving medical treatment," government military spokesman Ruslan Tkachuk said in a statement.

According to the statement, the first blast occurred at about 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) at a depot with over 3,500 tons of munitions in Svatovo town in Lugansk region, causing a huge fire.

The blaze resulted in new explosions, which gripped the town and damaged at least 35 buildings.

About 5,000 people nearby have been evacuated and the rescue operation at the site is still underway, the State Service for Emergencies said.

The exact cause of the incident was not immediately known, and the Ukrainian Security Service has launched a criminal investigation into the case on suspicion of an "act of terrorism".

Svatovo is a small government-controlled town in Ukraine's restive eastern region. It lies about 100 km from the contact line separating the Ukrainian army from pro-independence rebel forces. Endi