Deadly blast erupts at arms plant in Eastern Europe

The incident took place at a facility operated by Bulgaria’s top weapons producer, Arsenal

An explosion at a Bulgarian weapons factory left at least three people dead and one other injured, local officials said, destroying much of the facility and prompting a full evacuation of the premises.

District prosecutors said the blast occurred on Tuesday at a plant run by weapons maker Arsenal in the city of Kazanlak. Though officials initially said the explosion had claimed the life of a 55-year-old man who worked at the factory, they have since confirmed the deaths of two female employees aged 53 and 43. One other woman remains in the hospital after suffering serious injuries in the explosion; none have been named. 

“In the workshop where the accident took place, products with… explosive mixtures are produced,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement, adding “The workers from the neighboring premises were evacuated. A large part of…