A huge cloud of smoke was seen above the Russian city of Achinsk on Monday (August 5) after explosions rocked a nearby ammunition depot.

Thousands of people were evacuated from Achinsk and nearby villages after the blasts saw artillery shell fragments land up to 30 kilometres from the base.

According to reports, 12 people are injured and one person is missing and feared dead.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said the fire had been "fully extinguished" on Tuesday morning (August 6) and attributed the fire to "human error".

In Russia, in Krasnoyarsk Krai, in the military unit located near the city of Achinsk, there was a powerful and long series of explosions of military shells. The fragments flew 30 kilometers. Thousands of people were evacuated from Achinsk and nearby villages. The explosions continued throughout the night.

In Russia, in Krasnoyarsk Krai, in the military unit located near the city of Achinsk, there was a powerful and long series of explosions of military shells. The fragments flew 30 kilometers. Thousands of people were evacuated from Achinsk and nearby villages. The explosions continued throughout the night.