site.btaAll Possible Causes of Explosions at Ammunition Warehouse Being Investigated

All possible causes of the explosions at an EMCO storage facility near the village of Belitsa, Tryavna Municipality, are being investigated, and a leading theory is expected to emerge after the site is inspected, Gabrovo District Prosecutor Tihomir Petkov said on Wednesday.

The pre-trial investigation concerns explosions that endangered the lives and health of workers, posed a risk of the fire spreading to neighbouring properties and caused significant material damage. Investigators are considering, among other possibilities, the deliberate or accidental introduction of a source of fire or a device capable of causing a fire, a destructive change in components used in the production of the items, and possible breaches of safety rules during their manufacture, transportation or storage.

The case was initially handled by an investigating police officer, but due to its factual and legal complexity, it was subsequently assigned to a team of investigators with relevant expertise and experience.

An inspection of the scene is scheduled for Wednesday and will involve experts from various fields. Further inspections are also planned because unexploded items remain both inside and outside the storage area. The site will be examined only after the safety of the investigation team has been ensured.

Petkov said the company’s management was cooperating with the investigation. Video recordings and production-related documents were seized on Tuesday and will now be analyzed. The State Agency for National Security (SANS) has also been assigned specific tasks related to theories publicly discussed in the media.

The Gabrovo District Investigation Department has two investigators with the necessary specialization and experience in similar cases, Petkov said, adding that there was currently no need to involve investigators from the National Investigation Service.

The prosecutor stressed that no immediate physical evidence had yet been seized from the scene and that all possible versions were still being investigated.

On August 10, an explosion at an EMCO storage facility near Belitsa caused a fire after debris from the blast landed in the surrounding area. Authorities said the night passed calmly and there was no risk to nearby populated areas or the ammunition plant.