site.btaOne American Killed, Four Wounded in Grenade Launcher Accident at VMZ Sopot Ordnance Plant

One American Killed, Four Wounded in Grenade Launcher Accident  at VMZ Sopot Ordnance Plant

Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria, June 6 (BTA) - One American was
killed and four persons wounded in a grenade launcher accident
which happened at the Sopot Vazov Ordnance Plant's (VMZ Sopot)
firing range on Saturday. The Interior Ministry's Plovdiv
Regional Directorate explained that a 112 call was received at
11:30 am to report an accident involving a hand grenade in which
 one person was killed. The person killed is an American
citizen, along with two of the wounded. One of the wounded
Americans has suffered life-threatening injuries and is admitted
 in critical condition to Plovdiv University Hospital, the
hospital's press centre said. Two Bulgarians and one other US
citizen, who sustained less severe injuries, have had their
wounds treated at a hospital in Karlovo and are being
transported to Plovdiv. 

The Plovdiv District Prosecution Office is investigating the
explosion. Plovdiv's District Prosecutor and a team of
investigators are at the scene, along with the head of the
Plovdiv Labour Inspectorate Krassimir Chernyaev, the Prosecution
 Office said. Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov has ordered a
mobile team from the National Investigation Service dispatched
to the site.

The Economy Ministry reported in a press release that the
accident at the firing range occurred during experimental
shooting conducted by a private company. The ammunition used was
 of poor quality and property of that same company. It was
manufactured at VMZ Sopot back in 1984 and the company purchased
 it a few years ago.

The causes of the accident are linked only to the private
company. The only connection with VMZ Sopot is the firing range
near the village of Anevo, which was rented out to the company.
All the paperwork is in order, said Economy Minister Bozhidar
Loukarski, quoted by his Ministry. He voiced hope that those
injured in the accident recover well, extending his sympathies
to the victim's family and friends.