Thursday's train explosions at the Ryongchon railway station in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were caused by electric sparks during the shunting of wagons loaded with ammonium nitrate fertilizer, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) confirmed in a statement Saturday.

Investigations conducted so far show the damage is very serious, said KCNA.

The DPRK government is spearheading recovery work and is helping local people return to normal.

The DPRK appreciates offers of humanitarian assistance from other countries, international bodies and organizations, KCNA said.

At least 154 people, including 76 primary school students, were killed and more than 1,300 injured in the explosion.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2004)