Accidents at arms depots are fairly common in Russia, especially due to lax safety requirements and large amounts of old munitions remaining in storage.

"As a result of an explosion of gunpowder during the unloading of ammunition, seven people were injured. They received minor wounds. Another person died," a source in the emergency services told TASS state news agency, adding that the victim was a serviceman.

The same source said that a fire broke out after the blast and efforts were underway to put it out.

The local health ministry said two of the injured have been hospitalised with severe burns.

According to preliminary information, careless handling of explosives could have caused the incident, TASS reported.