60 feared dead in accidental explosion in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO - At least 60 people were feared killed when a stock of dynamite exploded Friday inside a police station in eastern Sri Lanka, a military spokesman said.

Major General Udaya Medawala said the explosives detonated on a truck in the Karadiyanaru police station, 260 km east of Colombo.

The dynamite were intended for road construction in the area.

Two Chinese workers were among the dead, Medawala said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravi Wijegunawardena said the explosion was accidental and investigations were under way into what caused the detonation.

The country’s Eastern Province has been calm since government troops recaptured the area from Tamil separatist rebels in 2008. Government troops then went on to defeat the rebels in their northern stronghold.