Georgian fuel train explodes

SKRA, Georgia, (AFP) - A train carrying fuel exploded Sunday near the Georgian city of Gori, causing a thick cloud of noxious black smoke and blocking a vital east-west transportation link, officials and witnesses said.

The governor of the surrounding Shida Kartli region, Lado Vardzelashvili, said the train was travelling near a military base occupied by Russian troops until Friday and the explosion had caused no casualties.

Georgian Interior Ministry spokesman Shota Utiashvili said the explosion was caused by a mine laid by Russian forces.

An intense fire burned following the explosion and a tower of smoke could be seen from kilometres around, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.

The fire was still not under control by early evening and it was unclear when traffic on the line would be restored, Utiashvili said.