Scores die in Mozambique explosions

The death toll from explosions at a military armoury in the Mozambique capital Maputo has risen to 83.

The death toll from explosions at a military armoury in the Mozambique capital Maputo has risen to 83.

Mozambican media said about 200 people had been injured by the blasts, which began yesterday and were triggered by high temperatures.

Radio Mozambique said about 20 tonnes of old military equipment had been stored at the armoury and that the explosions had sent mortar bombs and rockets crashing into the nearby Malhazine residential district near the city centre.

A number of houses were destroyed.

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President Armando Guebuza called off a visit to South Africa today because of the disaster. Maputo's airport, situated near the armoury, is closed.

South Africa is to send a team of experts to Maputo this weekend to help determine the cause of the explosion.

Hundreds of people gathered at the hospital, waiting for news of loved ones. Authorities said many children had been separated from their parents in the chaos that engulfed the port city at the height of the explosions.