Zambia has observed a week of national mourning for the victims of an explosion in a railyard in the town of Mufulira.

The blast occurred on Tuesday (December 14) in a train-load of explosives, and killed 35 people.

Many of the victims were factory workers--but others were women and children living in shanty houses near the siding.

The sound of the explosion was heard 40 miles (65 Kms) away--and the blast flung a cloud of dust and smoke ten thousand feet (3000 M.) into the air.

Still in hospital are many badly-injured survivors of the explosion--and Zambian officials fear a still higher death toll.

SYNOPSIS: Smouldering wreckage after a rail explosion in Zambia that plunged the country into a weak of national mourning. The explosion occurred in a train of explosives standing on a siding at Mufulira last Tuesday. The force of the blast wrecked surrounding buildings--including a factory, and a collection of shanty houses. At least thirty-five people were killed--dozens were seriously injured. The sound of the blast was heard 40 miles (65 kms) from Mufulira.

Armed soldiers guarded the train wreck as investigators tried to find the cause of the explosion--so far, without success. Among the dead were women and children--trapped under wreckage when the explosion dismantled their flimsy homes around them. Zambia's President Kaunda has visited the site of the disaster to offer condolences.