Blasts have rocked the capital of the Republic of Congo after a weapons depot caught fire, killing at least 206 people and forcing thousands to flee.

A morgue in Brazzaville took in 136 bodies on Sunday afternoon as more continued to arrive.

A local hospital reported at least 237 patients wounded in the blasts.

Sunday's blasts flattened many buildings in the northern part of Brazzaville and sent more than 2000 fleeing their homes.

The munitions depot is near the president's private residence, but he was at his official residence in another part of town and was not hurt.