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An anti-government protestor reacts during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in Sana'a, Yemen on Monday Muhammed Muheisen/AP/Press Association Images
Yemen
Blast at Yemen weapons factory kills at least 70 people
The earlier estimates of 50 people having died were quickly revised and are set to rise again with many more wounded. Meanwhile the president has scrapped his offer to quit by the end of the year.
A BLAST AT an ammunitions factory in Yemen has killed at least 70 people according to reports this afternoon.
Agence France Press reports that at least 70 people have been killed and many others wounded after the explosion which shook the southern town of Jaar on Monday.
The plant had recently been seized by Islamist militants who had clashed with government forces in the town.
Around 30 armed and hooded gunmen looted the factory on Sunday and made off in four vehicles with cases of weapons according to witnesses.
The cause of the explosion remained unclear but the blast could be heard as far as 15 kilometres away according to the BBC.
Yemen has been rocked by political turmoil and upheaval in recent weeks as has much of the Arab world.
On Friday thousands took to the streets in protest against the rule of Ali Abdullah Saleh who had promised to step down once the country is in ‘safe hands.’
However, he appears to have scrapped that offer to quit today, according to Press Association.
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