A massive blast rocked a police training camp in the city of Zliten on Thursday. The blast took place around 8:00 am when around 400 recruits were doing their morning exercises.

A suicide bomber blew up his truck in the gate of Coast Guard Training Camp which is located on the coastal road in Souq Tolata area, causing a loud sound that was heard in Misrata, 60 km to the east of the city.

Zliten Municipality confirmed that 20 people are now dead, 15 of whom were identified, adding that the city's hospital has received around 40 wounded while others were sent to nearby cities. The death toll is expected to rise.

Misrata Municipality confirmed the arrival of 55 wounded to the city's central hospital, which sent an urgent call to local residents for blood donation.

The Ministry of Health has declared a state of emergency in Tripoli and Misrata hospitals to receive and treat blast victims.  

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the blast bore the hallmarks of ISIS. 

"It's a massacre." Eyewitnesses say.

The GNC and Zliten Municipality have declared three days of mourning and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff over the victims of the deadly blast.  

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