Specialists at the University of Sheffield in the UK estimate that the blast had about one tenth of the explosive power of the atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during World War Two and was "unquestionably one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history".
Among those affected are the Armenian community of the city. A spokesperson for the Armenian Foreign Ministry said that at least six Armenians were killed and several others were injured.
More than 1,000 servicemen of the Southern Military District are taking part in military drills that started this morning. Tanks, helicopters and multiple rocket launchers are being deployed.
It is understood that the measure is in response to ongoing large military exercises by Turkish and Azerbaijani troops currently on going in Azerbaijan.
Armenia informed the OSCE that it is suspending military inspections on its territory by Turkey and guest inspectors from Turkey under the CFE treaty and the Vienna Document