View Full Version : BBC reporting massive explosion in Cypriot naval base munitions depot
ricardian
11th Jul 2011, 09:18
Several deaths reported (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14102253) as well as damage to electricity generating plant.
minigundiplomat
11th Jul 2011, 09:35
Having watched a cypriot gas engineer [from a distance once I saw what he was planning] trace a gas leak using a cigarette lighter as a torch, I can't say this particularly surprises me.
That said, an awful tragedy by the sounds of it.
Pontius Navigator
11th Jul 2011, 10:10
Just to get the place right.
FODPlod
11th Jul 2011, 10:18
A little background on the origin of the munitions involved:
BBC News 13 Feb 2009: Cyprus unloads 'Gaza arms' ship (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7889371.stm)
TBM-Legend
11th Jul 2011, 22:13
I wonder if they've seen any Israelis in the area recently then....:hmm:
AGS Man
12th Jul 2011, 05:50
From what I've read it was an out of control bondu fire that reached these explosives despite warnings from the Military Authorities to the Government of the danger. One report said 2000 tons of gunpowder, that's like the yield of a battlefield nuke! Condolences to the bereaved.
"despite warnings from the Military Authorities to the Government of the danger."
I like that.
Unloading it doesn't present (too much) of a danger, storing 98 containers
in full exposure to the sun does.
Pontius Navigator
12th Jul 2011, 10:02
The Torygraph said 98 barrels but at 20 tons per barrel they were pretty big barrels. 98 containers OTOH is reasonable.
The jolly Cyps seem quite blase about leaving things outdoors to cook in the sun. They did the same with their Sam 2 site. The got all the 'farm machinery' laid out and then got the hard word from Turkey so they just left it to rot.
Blacksheep
12th Jul 2011, 12:08
Having watched a cypriot gas engineer [from a distance once I saw what he was planning] trace a gas leak using a cigarette lighter as a torch, I can't say this particularly surprises me.A trick of the trade - for UK gas fitters too. The flame changes colour. As Uncle Bill put it, you can't flick your lighter when there's enough gas to make you unconscious.
Agaricus bisporus
13th Jul 2011, 11:10
You'd think storing "gunpowder" in the open would make it damp and hard to light. Then the canons wouldn't go "bang" any more. Do the Cypriots have any metal or motorised warships yet?
And yes, RIP and inappropriate condolences to everyone there who I've never met.
Whenurhappy
13th Jul 2011, 11:30
Erm, PN - don't you mean 'Republic of Cyprus Naval facility'?
Pontius Navigator
13th Jul 2011, 11:49
Do I? :E