Explosion at Bulgarian ammunition depot supplying Ukraine sparks massive fire, sabotage probe

An explosion at a Bulgarian ammunition depot supplying Ukraine triggered a major fire overnight on September 12, according to local authorities. The blaze originated near the village of Tsareva Livada in central Bulgaria and rapidly spread from one warehouse to another, according to Gabrovo Regional Governor Kristina Sidorova. No injuries were reported in the incident.

EMCO, a Bulgarian arms manufacturer owned by trader Emilian Gebrev, supplied the ammunition used by Ukraine and has faced previous investigations into suspected Russian sabotage. In a statement following the blast, EMCO asserted the latest explosion was an act of sabotage and ruled out human error as a cause, maintaining the warehouse had not been used for months and had recently passed Interior Ministry inspections.

However, Bulgarian authorities disagree, stating investigators are examining the possibility of sabotage and have not ruled out external interference. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev noted neglect in storage conditions and security methods, suggesting the negligence could have contributed to the disaster. The Sept. 12 incident marks the second blaze at an EMCO facility within a month, following another explosion and fire in August.

This marks a series of sabotage incidents against Bulgarian defense industries supplying Ukraine, with previous investigations implicating Russian involvement dating back to 2011.