[link to news.sky.com]

Massive explosions have rocked a Russian ammunition depot, killing at least two people and prompting the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents.

Provincial governor Sergei Morozov was quoted as saying 10 people were take to hospital and 3,000 people evacuated.

Officials have confirmed that 35 people who were working at the arsenal and feared dead have since been found alive.

The blasts and fire erupted on Friday while ammunition was being destroyed at the depot in the Ulyanovsk province, according to the Federal Security Service.

The explosions and fire raged for hours at the depot, located about 430 miles east of Moscow.

As the huge fireball enveloped the facility rockets and other projectile ordnance could be seen flying through the air.

There was traffic gridlock as nearby residents attempted to flee the emergency.