Thousands Evacuated After Russian Ammunition Train Explodes

Thousands of civilians are being evacuated from two towns in Russia's Orenburg Oblast in the Urals after a train transporting ammunition exploded on October 9.

The total population of the two towns is some 10,000 people.

The towns are located some 10 kilometers from the site of the incident.

Officials said the blasts in three train cars were caused by fire.

According to the local citizens, the blasts were very massive and shattered all windows in the two towns and felled trees.

A nearby highway has been closed and movement of all trains has been halted in the area.

One military officer was reported injured trying to contain the blaze. He suffered a concussion but his condition was not life-threatening.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax