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Damage by Explosion at Ryongchon Railway Station

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

    Pyongyang, April 26 (KCNA) -- As already reported, a strong explosion was caused by the contact of electric lines during the shunt of wagons loaded with nitric ammonium fertilizer and tank wagons at Ryongchon Railway Station in North Phyongan Province, northwestern part of Korea, on April 22. Damage by the explosion is very serious.
    According to the preliminary investigation made so far by a relevant organ, the radius of damage is 2 km and most serious is the damage within the radius of 1.5 km.
    The wagon explosion made a 15 meter deep crater.
    More than 30 public, industrial and commercial buildings and houses for at least 8,100 families were destroyed. Houses for 1,850 families were leveled and those for 6,250 families partly destroyed.
    Those buildings partly destroyed have to be rehabilitated.
    At least 150 people were killed and over 1,300 wounded. The number of those missing is still under investigation.
    The DPRK government is doing its best to take emergency measures for rehabilitation.
    Humanitarian aid from many countries and international organizations is greatly encouraging the Korean people in their efforts to recover from the damage.