Baku Says Munitions Plant Explosion Involved Stockpile Of Old Ammunition

Authorities say two employees at the Araz factory in the town of Shirvan were killed by the July 26 blast and about 20 were injured.

Azerbaijan's Interior Ministry and Prosecutor-General's Office said on July 27 that a deadly explosion in a munitions plant involved a stockpile of old ammunition that was being prepared for disposal.

Authorities say two employees at the Araz factory in the town of Shirvan were killed by the July 26 blast and about 20 were injured.

Earlier reports had put the death toll as high as 12.

The Araz plan is managed by Azerbaijan's Defense Industry Ministry.

RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reported that explosions continued to rock Shirvan and its surroundings for hours while a fire raged at the factory.

Shirvan is about 100 kilometers from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.

With reporting by AP, TASS, and Interfax