[REVISION HISTORY]

EMKO ammunition warehouse explosions in Bulgaria

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2026-09-12 11:21 UTC → 2026-09-12 11:35 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In August 2026, a fire and series of explosions occurred at an EMKO ammunition warehouse near the village of Gorni Varpišta in the Gabrovo region. The incident involved the ignition of gunpowder and ammunition, prompting the activation of the BG-Alert system. While no injuries were reported, emergency teams used drones to monitor the site due to the risk of further detonations. This event followed a previous incident on August 10 at an EMKO production base near Belitsa, which caused explosions and a forest fire. In response to the August 10 incident, the Tryavna Municipality extended a partial state of emergency for 30 days covering a 500-meter radius around the facility to allow specialized teams to clear unexploded remnants from nearby forests and agricultural lands. On the night of September 11, a second major fire and series of explosions occurred at the Gorni Varpišta warehouse. The incident began around 23:20, causing flames to spread between multiple warehouses. While the fire was visible from the Veliko Tarnovo region, authorities confirmed no injuries or fatalities occurred as the facility was unoccupied and security personnel had evacuated. The recurring nature of these incidents has drawn scrutiny, as Bulgarian prosecutors have previously investigated links between explosions at EMKO sites and Russian intelligence operations. In 2024, Bulgaria issued arrest warrants for six Russian citizens suspected of involvement in previous destructions of EMKO warehouses containing ammunition intended for export to Ukraine and Georgia. Moscow has consistently rejected all allegations of involvement in these attacks. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev stated that authorities are investigating all possibilities, including “external interference or sabotage,” and the government has announced plans to inspect every ammunition warehouse across the country.

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