Cyprus Blasts Leave Dead and Injured : Full Video

At least 11 people have been killed after a series of explosions at a naval base in southern Cyprus.The explosions were sparked by a fire, which ignited gunpowder that was stored in containers. The blast caused debris to fly over a wide area. The accompanying concussion wave also knocked out the island's largest power station.A defence ministry spokesman interviewed by public radio confirmed that there were deaths but declined to give a figure.The blast caused damage to neighbouring communities and windows and doors of beachside restaurants were blown out.

The island's main power station also sustained extensive damage as a result of the explosion and the electricity authority has said it will remain offline for at least a day.

A spokesman for the state-run electricity authority said that the blasts, which struck shortly before 6:00am local time (3:00am GMT), also damaged the island's largest power station."We can't assess the extent of the damage, but it's a biblical disaster," spokesman Costas Gavrielides told Reuters.

Yiannis Tsouloftas, an official with the utility, said that the station had sustained extensive damage as a result of the concussion wave of the blast. He said that it would remain offline for at least Monday, with the island's two smaller power stations attempting to cover electricity demand.

The Vassilikos power station is very close to the Evangelos Florakis navy base, where the explosions occured. The base is located between the coastal cities of Limassol and Larnaca on the south side of Cyprus.