Fire at Bulgarian Military Weapons Depot Triggers Explosions

A weapons and ammunition depot at a Bulgarian military facility caught fire on Friday morning, setting off a chain of powerful explosions that rattled windows and triggered panic in communities up to 50 kilometres away.

The Incident

The fire started in the early hours at a facility near the town of Sliven in south-central Bulgaria. Firefighters and military personnel rushed to the scene but were initially unable to approach due to the ongoing blasts. By mid-morning, the main fire was brought under control, though secondary explosions continued.

Evacuations and Safety Measures

Authorities issued emergency alerts and ordered the evacuation of at least eight villages within a 10-kilometre radius. Residents were taken to local community centres and schools. A no-fly zone was imposed over the area.

Investigation

Bulgarian Defence Ministry officials said an investigation was launched to determine whether the fire was accidental or the result of sabotage. Similar incidents at Bulgarian military depots in previous years had raised concerns about the security of the country's ageing munitions stockpiles.