Explosion at Bulgarian arms factory, owned by Ukraine supplier, prompts evacuations

A powerful explosion rocked the EMCO arms and ammunition factory in Belița, central Bulgaria, on Monday, August 10. The blast, owned by businessman Emilian Gebrev who has supplied weapons to Ukraine, prompted the evacuation of around 300 workers and restricted access to the area. The explosion was felt up to 15 kilometers away.

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most likely

No casualties were reported, according to Interior Minister Ivan Demerdjiev, who stated the explosion was "most likely" accidental. As a precautionary measure, authorities evacuated nearby communities and worked to extinguish the fire that spread from the explosion site. Firefighters and gendarmerie units responded, with efforts focused on preventing the fire from spreading to other buildings and protecting emergency personnel.

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When are involved explosive materials, we must take measures to protect both the lives and health of firefighters. We want to ensure that in case the fire spreads, no person will be injured and the flames will not spread to other buildings

The mayor of the nearby town of Treavna, Dencho Minev, reported that the incident began with a truck fire that led to explosions in part of the factory's warehouses. While the main fire at the facility was extinguished, firefighters continued to battle blazes in nearby wooded areas. The causes of the fire will be determined later. Thick smoke prompted authorities to advise residents to keep windows closed, wear masks, and avoid outdoor activities. A mobile station was set up to monitor air quality, and the BG-ALERT system was activated, urging people to stay away from the area.

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Currently, work is underway to extinguish the fires that have spread to the wooded areas near the incident site. The causes of the fire will be determined only at a later stage.