No Risk of Chemical, Radioactive Contamination after Kostenets Blast

Caretaker Defense Minister Velizar Shalamanov has assured that here is no risk of radioactive or chemical contamination after the blast at the TEREM ammunition plant in Kostenets.

An explosion at the ammunition disposal facility at around 8.40 am on Friday left ten people injured, including seven people with lighter injuries and three people with cuts and traumas.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio, he said that an investigation would be launched into the incident under the supervision of the prosecuting authority.

He suggested that the only damage caused by the blast was broken windows of buildings, adding that the locals would be reimbursed for the costs by the state-owned ammo factory.

Shalamanov made clear that all companies where the Defense Minister was in charge of managing state property were being inspected.

He explained that the Defense Ministry awarded ammunition utilization contracts on the basis of public procurement procedures in compliance with safety requirements.

The caretaker Defense Minister vowed an uncompromising approach toward violations to the safety rules.

He also assured that all of the people living near the site of the incident had been taken to an area within a safe distance.

Shalamanov was in charge of the TEREM ammo factory in his capacity of Deputy Defense Minister during the term in office of the government headed by Prime Minister Ivan Kostov.

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