[lad]

Initial reports indicated that on April 22, 2004, two trains, one carrying petroleum and the other liquefied natural gas, collided near the North Korean town of Ryongchon, ten miles southeast of the Chinese border, causing a massive explosion. Additional information, both from the North Korean government and other sources indicate that the cause of the explosion was not a result of trains carrying fuel, but was instead caused by the detonation of explosives that the trains were carrying.

The accident took place hours after the passage of North Korean Leader Kim Jong Il, who was returning from a visit to Beijing. Initial casualty estimates were reported to be in the thousands, with North Korea reported to having declared a state of emergency. United Nations and Red Cross officials reported early on April 23 that at least 54 people were killed and more than 1,200 injured in the disaster, but the toll could ultimately be much higher as over a thousand buildings were completely destroyed and more buildings were seriously damaged.

[Hambone]

That a large as fireworks :|