​Arm warehouse explodes in Ukraine, entire city evacuated

Thousands of people are being evacuated from the city of Balakleya, Ukraine after a fire broke out at what is believed to be the country's largest ammunition depot.

Images of the explosion were shared online. Photo: RT/YouTube

There were reports of multiple explosions and broken windows. A 7km safety zone has been established around the burning weapons depot.

Images shared on social media showed people rushing to evacuate after the city government ordered an emergency evacuation across almost the entire city.

Sputnik quoted a civilian defense source as saying that most people were taken out of the city by bus, but traffic jams occurred in many places.

Prosecutors said they were investigating but initial information suggested the fire was caused by arson.

A video clip posted by locals shows huge flames rising from the site of the fire, then a missile-like object flying out and falling to the ground with an explosion.

The city's civil defense agency told RIA Novosti that most of the city's residents have now been evacuated and authorities will go door-to-door to check if anyone is still there.

According to RT, a total of nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated. The station also quoted official Anatoly Matios as saying that the Balakleya arsenal stored nearly 140,000 tons of ammunition.

"The total area of ​​the arsenal is 368 hectares, with 138,000 tons of ammunition. A drone is preparing to take off to assess the impact of the explosion on the arsenal," Anatoly Matio wrote on Facebook.

He also said security along the southeastern border had been tightened following the blast.

According to Tuoi Tre