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Interior Minister Opens Investigation Into EMCO Ammunition Warehouse Fire

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 2:30 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Demerdzhiev Launches Investigation

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev opened an investigation into the EMCO ammunition warehouse fire near Tsareva Livada.
The blaze started overnight on Sept. 12, 2026 and was contained without injuries.
EMCO attributed the fire to sabotage and said human error was completely ruled out.
Demerdzhiev noted possible external interference and cited storage and security shortcomings.

Summary

Moscow Denies Sabotage

Moscow dismissed Bulgaria's claim that Russian operatives caused the EMCO warehouse fires.
Bulgaria expelled a Russian diplomat in 2021 while probing arms depot explosions.
Russian officials denied involvement in the 2014 Czech depot blast linked to the current incidents.
The dispute highlights rising tensions between Sofia and Moscow over alleged defence-sector sabotage.

History

Historical Context

Since the 1990s, over 120 ammunition depot accidents (1997-2007) have killed more than 3,500 people, prompting Russia to launch a 90 billion-ruble safety program in 2012 and modernize sites like the 107th Arsenal. The September 12 2026 EMCO depot fire in Bulgaria, blamed on Russian operatives, revives these security concerns and pushes Sofia toward NATO-backed upgrades.

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Demerdzhiev Launches Investigation

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev opened an investigation into the EMCO ammunition warehouse fire near Tsareva Livada.
The blaze started overnight on Sept. 12, 2026 and was contained without injuries.
EMCO attributed the fire to sabotage and said human error was completely ruled out.
Demerdzhiev noted possible external interference and cited storage and security shortcomings.

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