Officials with Mozambique's health ministry say the death toll from a series of explosions at the national weapons depot has risen to 72.
The blasts on Thursday sent mortars and rockets flying into residential areas of the capital, Maputo, and sent hundreds of people fleeing their homes in panic. Officials say at least 300 other people were injured in the blasts.
Authorities say they are still investigating the cause of the blasts. Officials blamed a series of explosions that occurred at the depot in January on high temperatures. Temperatures in the capital Thursday reached 35 degrees Celsius.
President Armando Guebuza had been due to travel to South Africa Friday, but canceled the visit because of the blasts. He appeared on national television Thursday to appeal for calm.
The national armory is used to store weapons and ammunition, including some from Mozambique's long civil war.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
