TIRANA, Albania-Three women injured in an explosion at an ammunition dump have died in an Italian hospital, Albanian authorities said Wednesday, bringing the death toll from the blasts to 24. About 300 people were injured.

Government spokeswoman Juela Mecani said another two of the injured being treated at the same hospital in Brindisi, Italy, remain in serious condition following the March 15 explosions.

Albania's military says one person is still listed as missing. Army engineers helped by six United Nations experts are continuing to search the wreckage of the dump outside the capital Tirana.

The blasts destroyed 412 homes, damaged 3,800 others and scattered artillery shells over some 15 square miles (40 square kilometers).

The government estimated the total damage at 1.6 billion leks (US$20.5 million; or €13.2 million).

The government has said the blast was accidentally triggered during work to dispose of surplus Communist-era ammunition. Three people have been arrested on suspicion of negligence.

Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu resigned after the blasts. Investigators have questioned him and top army generals.

About 100,000 tons of excess ammunition, mainly Russian and Chinese artillery shells made in the 1960s or earlier, are stored in former army depots across Albania.

NATO members, including the United States, Canada and Norway, have been helping dispose of the weapons.