Blast at Explosives Factory in NW Bulgaria Cuts Off Power Supply to 2 Hydropower Plants

The blast at an explosives factory near the northwestern village of Gorni Lom has left two hydropower plants without electricity.

Power distributor CEZ has informed that its workers have no access to the facilities which suffered the breakdown because fire safety experts expect secondary blasts at the site.

The company says that it stays in touch with the Interior Ministry, adding that its emergency unit will take steps to repair the equipment as soon as they have access to the site.

The explosion at the privately-owned Midzhur explosives and ammunition plant left three women injured, with over 10 people feared dead, according to reports of the Bulgarian National Radio.

15 people are believed to have been at the factory at the time of the blast, at around 5pm, but the exact number has not been officially confirmed.

Fire safety experts are holding an emergency meeting over the accident.

The area has been sealed off.

Teams of police officers, fire engines and ambulances have been dispatched to the site.

Rescue teams are expected to enter the factory no earlier than 24 hours after the last explosion.