NO GROUNDS FOR PANIC, SITUATION UNDER CONTROL, SAYS PREMIER

ZAGREB, Apr 7 (Hina) - Croatian Prime Minister Nikica Valentic on Thursday afternoon addressed the Croatian Parliament on the subject of an explosion in an ammunition storehouse in the Zagreb suburb of Sesvete. "It is a disaster," said Premier Valentic, adding that the explosion occurred in the vicinity of a housing development. The Government has appointed an alert committee, headed by the Prime Minister, which is permanently in session. "There is danger because we cannon fight the fire," said Valentic. He went on to say that there were no reports of possible casualties, adding that forty people who were on the spot had been rescued. However, there are several people who have not been accounted for, he said. According to Premier Valentic, there are no grounds for panic, as the situation is under control. Premier Valentic said the alert committee would keep the public informed, as it was difficult to foresee the consequences of such an accident. "Investigation is under way. There is as yet no evidence as to the cause of the accident," said the Prime Minister, rejecting any wild surmises and speculations. He noted that the alert committee had no clues and could rule out no hypothesis at this stage. 071841 MET apr 94