Bulgaria orders nationwide arms warehouse checks after EMKO site fire

Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev ordered nationwide inspections of weapons and ammunition storage facilities on Monday, 14 September, following a new incident at the EMKO company site between Friday night and Saturday morning.

The EMKO incidents

EMKO is a Bulgarian defence and arms company whose facilities have been involved in several incidents in recent years, including fires and unexplained explosions. The company has been linked to arms export and supply chains relevant to the war in Ukraine. The latest incident triggered fresh concerns about the security of Bulgaria's arms storage infrastructure.

Government response

Minister Demerdzhiev said the inspections would cover all weapons and ammunition storage sites across Bulgaria to assess safety standards and compliance. The checks are expected to be carried out by Interior Ministry specialist units over the coming days.

Context

Bulgaria is a significant producer of Soviet-era compatible munitions and has been a key supplier in the broader effort to sustain Ukraine's military operations. The security of Bulgarian arms facilities is of direct relevance to that supply chain.