An explosion in a dynamite storage depot located in the basement of a residential building in Yemen killed up to 19 people as they slept on Tuesday, an official told Reuters. The blast took place in the southern city of Taiz. Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV had earlier reported the blast took place in a fireworks warehouse.
According to the official, the pre-dawn explosion caused the collapse of a three-storey building with six residential apartments, and partly destroyed two adjacent homes. Some 15 people also were injured in the blast but survived.
The official conveyed the dynamite was believed to have belonged to a Yemeni businessman and contractor who used explosives in roadbuilding works to flatten hills.
