In Yemen, over 100 people have died and dozens seriously injured after an explosion at a bullet factory in the town of Jaar, in the southern province of Abyan.

Government police and army officers -- who had maintained some presence- have now left the town.

Amidst the lawlessness, hundreds of locals looted the ammunition factory -- setting off the deadly blast.

Government officials say it was an accident but are blaming al-Qaeda, using the incident to illustrate the dangers of a security vacuum in the country.

Our special correspondent reports from the capital, Sanaa.