The series of massive explosions that stuck at an arms dump near the Albanian capital Tirana on Saturday has left at least five people killed and more than 240 injured, BBC reported.

The blast struck outside Gerdec village near the capital as specialists were dismantling obsolete munitions at the site - some of the vast quantity amassed during Albania's communist years, and some dating back to 1945.

Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha said the death toll might rise.

Rescuers had not reached the main blast by nightfall on Saturday, as ammunition continued to explode, but resumed their attempts at daybreak on Sunday.

It was unclear how many people were working at the site when the explosions began - estimates varied from about 60 to 80 - or how many might be unaccounted for.

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