MOSCOW, July 10 (Reuters) - An explosion at an arms depot in Uzbekistan on Thursday caused an unknown number of casualties, a source at the Russian Defence Ministry was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

The explosion occurred in the Bukhara region of western Uzbekistan. "There are casualties," said the unnamed source at the ministry, which has close ties to Uzbekistan.

Uzbek officials could not be reached for comment. (Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge)

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