Explosions rocked the EMKO military plant in the village of Belitsa, in the municipality of Tryavna, Bulgaria. The country’s Interior Ministry confirmed the information, NOVA reports, writes UNN.
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There are no reports of fatalities or injuries. However, the national BG-ALERT system was activated.
According to Tryavna Mayor Dencho Minev, a truck caught fire, after which explosions began at some of the warehouses. According to Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev, the cause was most likely internal.
"The explosion occurred in one of the workshops. Everything possible is being done to contain the fire so that it does not spread to other buildings," Demerdzhiev said. He confirmed that no one was injured as a result of the incident.
"I am informing all residents of the municipality of Tryavna that, as a result of a truck fire, explosions occurred at some of the warehouses of the ammunition plant in the village of Belitsa. (...) Due to the fumes and air pollution, we urge people to close the windows of their homes, use protective masks and not go outside. Teams from the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection, Water Resources and Fire Safety are also heading to the scene to measure air quality," Tryavna Mayor Dencho Minev wrote on Facebook.
"The cause of the incident is unknown. Unofficially, it was a truck that caught fire, which caused the accident. The evacuation of personnel from the plant is currently underway," the regional governor, Kristina Sidorova, told NOVA.
A senior Interior Ministry official, the head of the fire service and additional law enforcement teams are also heading to the scene of the accident to take over coordination of measures to ensure the area’s safety.
The facility belongs to the arms company "EMKO" and businessman Emilian Gebrev, the publication writes.
Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov told NOVA that he had discussed the situation with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov.
"At this point, there is no danger to the neighborhoods in the area of the Veliko Tarnovo village of Voneshta Voda. There is assurance that the state has taken the necessary measures and established an organization," Panov explained.
Panov added that he was in constant contact with the director of the regional fire safety and civil protection department, Commissioner Krasimir Krastev, and Tryavna Mayor Dencho Minev. "If necessary, we are ready to provide heavy equipment," Panov added.
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