Hundreds of Sri Lankans have been left homeless after explosions at an ammunition depot on the edge of Colombo flattened houses and killed a soldier, an official said Tuesday.
Thousands of residents are yet to return to their homes after a huge fire on Sunday night at the military store triggered the blasts and forced them to flee.
The area's top official, D.S. Bandara, said surveys of the affected zone estimate 300 homes have been destroyed and another 600 damaged after shrapnel and unexploded bombs fell on villages.
"This is the initial estimate we have, but the numbers could rise as people go back to their properties and assess the damage," Bandara told reporters.
"Our figures show 18,620 people were living within this area and they are (currently) now homeless," Bandara said, adding they will be allowed to return to their villages in coming days to check their homes after the military declares the area safe.
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