The death toll topped 200 after Sunday morning's depot blast in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, according to the Central African country's presidential office.

Hospital sources have reported around 200 people killed in the blasts, an official of the presidency disclosed amid speculation of heavy casualties.

Many buildings in the city were destroyed in the serial explosions, which forced thousands of people to flee, causing panic.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet