Disaster struck the Republic’s capital earlier today when a cargo ship was destroyed in an explosion at the Gongaga Harbour. Early reports indicate that over seventy people have lost their lives in the incident, which also caused a nearby building to collapse as a result.

The ship, believed to be the “Heracles”, a freighter belonging to Shinra Manufacturing Works, had only docked mere minutes before the explosion, the cause of which remains unknown. Representitives from the Vigrior-based arms supplier are making their way to the site to assist with the Republic’s investigations. Captain Rhett Daimer of the Republic Armed Forces, who is overseeing the initial search and rescue operations, stated that Shinra will “be able to determine the cause of destruction of what was a very valuable shipment”, which is believed to have been related to the current situation near Takama in the Wutai Empire.

Amateur photograph taken minutes after the explosion from Selucia

Earlier this week, the Republic Observer reported that President Hauser had assembled the government and the Republic Armed Forces regarding military action within the Empire. Whilst the government has not yet made an official statement regarding the incident in the harbour, our sources within the Hauser administration have suggested that the events are linked, and that Shinra Manufacturing Works, a company who has supplied the Jotunn Federation with weapons for over ten years, had agreed to assist the Republic.

Whilst the Republic has already contacted the families of those involved in today’s disaster, President Hauser’s official statement is not due to take place until tomorrow morning, which will be broadcast direct from Graybrick House in central Gongaga City.