Human error most likely cause of the explosion in "Arsenal" arms manufacturer

An explosion at Arsenal military plant killed one person and two other female workers are missing but most likely dead. The rescue group could not reach the epicentre of the incident because of the risk of a secondary explosion. There is also an injured woman who has been transported to a hospital in Sofia. The workshop has completely collapsed. Pyrotechnics are manufactured there.

The most likely cause of the explosion was human error - a violation of work rules.

Risk of secondary explosion in the workshop in "Arsenal" arms manufacturer, two women still missing

A specialised team of the anti-terrorism unit has arrived at the scene and will clear the site so that investigators can start work. The investigation has been assigned to the National Investigation Service and the deadline is two months, but will most likely be extended.

The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. today, October 4 in Workshop 150 of Plant 4, where products with a sound and light effect are produced - flares and fireworks.

"I saw the workshop in person - it is completely destroyed. The body of one of the three workers in the workshop was thrown out of the building by the blast. Two women, one 53 and the other 43, who were also in the workshop at the time of the blast, are currently missing," said Todor Deyanov, appeal prosecutor.

Another woman was seriously injured and was transported to Sofia with life-threatening injuries. A specialised team of the counter-terrorism squad arrived at the scene to secure the site and begin the search for the bodies of the two missing women.

"The two persons are being searched for because they are probably trapped under the rubble," said Dicho Atanasov, district prosecutor of stara Zagora.

"Any production related to specific requirements concerning occupational safety must be observed. In this case we cannot say which rules were violated, the briefing was done in the morning. The shift started at 7:40," said Todor Deyanov.

The investigation has been taken over by the National Investigation Service.

"There are proceedings under Article 123, par. 1 of the Criminal Code for an occupational accident resulting in death," said Dicho Atanasov.

Minister of Economy Nikola Stoyanov also commented on the incident, saying he had spoken with the owner of Arsenal military plant by phone.”We have offered all the help the ministry can provide. It is too early to talk about the causes, at the moment all efforts are focused on dealing with the consequences," he said.

The Plovdiv Appeals Prosecutor's Office will order a comprehensive inspection of Arsenal military plant, which will include all relevant institutions.

***

Arsenal's main activities include design, manufacturing and trade in small arms and artillery armaments, ammunition, primers, powders, charges, pyrotechnic products, hunting and sport weapons and ammunition, cemented carbide tools, tips and inserts, casting, forging etc.