ContextBulgarian authorities are continuing to investigate the 12 September fire at an EMCO ammunition storage site near Tsareva Livada. No injuries were reported. EMCO alleged sabotage, but authorities have not established a cause. [1][2]
On 18 September, the government's Security Council discussed stronger protection for strategic and critical sites, including explosives and ammunition facilities. Its statement said investigators were examining possible outside interference; that is a line of inquiry, not an attribution. [3]
The council also directed the interior and defence ministries to coordinate the acquisition and deployment of counter-drone systems, prioritising the Black Sea area and the Bulgarian–Turkish border. [3]
Adds the 18 September Security Council review, the continuing inquiry into possible outside interference, and planned counter-drone protection measures without treating any allegation as established.
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Bulgaria probes fire at second EMCO ammunition site
No injuries were reported at the Tsareva Livada depot; investigators are examining safety failures and possible outside interference.
Bulgarian authorities opened an investigation after an overnight fire at an EMCO ammunition storage site near Tsareva Livada in central Bulgaria. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said on 12 September that the fire was under control and no injuries had been reported.
Demerdzhiev said investigators were considering links to an August fire at another EMCO facility and criticised the company's storage and security arrangements. Reuters reported that the inquiry also covers possible outside interference.
ContextEMCO attributed the incident to sabotage, but authorities had not established a cause. Reuters noted that Bulgarian prosecutors have previously alleged Russian involvement in attacks on defence facilities; Moscow has denied involvement in such incidents.
