Arms depot blast kills dozens in western Libya

Tripoli: At least 29 people were killed and more than 30 others were injured on Tuesday when an arms depot exploded in Libya`s Garabolli, nearly 60 km east the capital Tripoli.

A local official said that the blast took place following protests by local residents against the militia that was guarding the depot after the militia fighters attacked shops in the area, Xinhua reported.

The official added that the injured people are receiving medical care in a nearby hospital.

He also said the protesters closed down the main road between Garabolli and Misrata, to which the militia belong.

No official statement has been issued regarding the cause of the explosion. The official said that the militia has left the place after clashing with the locals.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been suffering a security vacuum with many armed militias operating separately from the central government. The country is plagued with escalating violence.