Protesters say Christofias’ negligence caused blast at navy base

Thousands of Greek Cypriots marched on the presidential palace in Nicosia in protest over the deaths of 12 people in a blast at a navy base.

Police fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators who blamed government negligence for the explosion at the Evangelos Florakis base on Monday.

More than 60 other people were injured when the cache of seized Iranian munitions blew up.

It is believed a bush fire ignited the explosives.

The powerful blast at the naval base badly damaged Cyprus's largest power station leading to rolling power cuts across the island that officials warned could last for months.

As public anger at the incident swelled, police said a crowd of up to 5,000 converged on the palace compound and hung a banner on the gate saying "(President Demetris) Christofias is a murderer and must go to jail."