COLOMBO: At least 27 people were killed including two Chinese contractors in eastern Sri Lanka on Friday after an accidental blast at an explosives depot at a police station, a military spokesman told AFP.

Military spokesman Major General Ubaya Medawala told AFP that police were issuing explosives to Chinese contractors working on a road project when the accident occurred.

"It`s an accidental explosion. The munitions were kept at the police station for safety reasons. It exploded as police were issuing some munitions to the contractors," Medawala said.

"We believe over 27 have died -- this includes two Chinese contractors and the rest policemen," he said.

BDST: 1536 HRS, September 17, 2010