A fire and explosions at a military production and storage facility near the village of Belitsa in Tryavna municipality led to the evacuation of all 300 workers at the site on Monday. Initial information indicated that the incident began when a truck caught fire, triggering a fire in one of the ammunition warehouses.
The incident occurred shortly before noon, with heavy smoke reported over the area and secondary detonations continuing to be heard. Gabrovo Regional Governor Kristina Sidorova said there were no casualties or injuries among the workers and that everyone at the facility had been evacuated.
Authorities also warned residents of nearby villages to remain indoors because of the smoke. The prime minister and interior minister were informed of the incident, while air-quality monitoring stations were sent to the area. Investigators began work to establish the exact circumstances and cause of the fire.
According to information cited by the Bulgarian National Radio, initial indications were that the incident was an accident rather than sabotage. A tanker truck carrying fuel was reportedly filling tanks when an ignition occurred, causing ammunition stored in one of the warehouses to catch fire and explode.
