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Explosion hits another EMCO weapons site in Bulgaria; probe underway
Reuters • • world
Key Points:
- Bulgaria is investigating a fire at an EMCO-operated weapons storage facility near Tsareva Livada, considering sabotage and possible links to a prior August blaze at another EMCO site, with no injuries reported.
- EMCO claims the fire resulted from sabotage, referencing over ten similar incidents at Bulgarian defense firms since 2011, and alleges authorities have inadequately protected such facilities.
- The company is run by Emilian Gebrev, who has been targeted in past attacks allegedly linked to Russian operatives; Bulgaria issued arrest warrants in 2024 for six Russians accused of involvement in attacks on EMCO depots.
- Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev highlighted concerns about security measures at explosive storage sites and stated investigations will explore connections between recent and past incidents.
- The incident occurs amid political tensions in Bulgaria, where the Kremlin-friendly government recently halted arms supplies to Ukraine, advocating for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
