4 dead in weapon factory explosion in Romania

Four people died and another three were injured in an explosion Thursday at a weapon factory in Babeni town in southern Romania, reported Xinhua.

The accident happened when an antipersonnel mine exploded during a defusing operation, according to the local Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) in Valcea County.

The state of the wounded was stable and they were transported to Valcea Emergency Hospital for treatment, Dan Faureanu, director of Ambulance Valcea, was quoted as saying by local DIGI 24 TV.

Local prosecutors have already opened a criminal case in this respect, with investigations for committing offenses of non-compliance with the explosive material regime and non-observance of legal security measures.

The Babeni Mechanical Factory, established in 1983 for the production of military technology, is a certified supplier for the Ministry of Defense in Romania and the NATO.

In 2019, an explosion of a projectile took place at the same factory, killing a 22-year-old employee.