MOSCOW. Oct 18 (Interfax-AVN) - Two officers were killed and two soldiers wounded by an accidental explosion during preparations for ammunition disposal at a Russian army base, Russia's Investigative Committee said.
"During preparations for the destruction of ammunition, a quantity of TNT caught fire with the subsequent detonation of large-caliber ammunition that was in a pack [prepared for disposal]. At that moment there were two officers inside the explosion pit who led demolition teams, and some draftee soldiers," the Committee's Chief Military Department said in a statement.
There were three explosions altogether, according to the statement.
One of the officers was injured by the first blast. The other officer tried to pull him out of the pit but both were killed as two more explosions followed.
Two soldiers received light injuries.
Investigators examined the site, witnesses were being questioned, and documents on the organization of ammunition disposal were seized from the base. Post mortems were ordered for the two officers' bodies, the department said.