Man dies in work accident at VMZ Sopot ordnance plant

A man died in a work accident at the VMZ ordnance plant in Sopot around noon on Wednesday, the press centre of the regional directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Plovdiv said.

The incident occurred due to work with explosives, the plant said, adding that a press caused the explosion, which injured two workers. One of the workers died on the way to hospital. The condition of his colleague is stable. 

The blast was localised and there was no danger of fire spreading or otherwise endangering the lives of other employees, the VMZ said. The competent authorities have been alerted, and the factory has launched an internal investigation into the causes of the incident. Initial reports indicate that all safety instructions were followed.

In July last year, there was again an incident in which a worker died.

Later on Wednesday, the Plovdiv District Prosecutor's Office said that an investigation is being carried out under its leadership into the work accident that resulted in the death of the young man. The proceedings are being conducted for causing death by negligence due to ignorance and careless performance of an occupation constituting a source of increased danger - a crime under Article 123, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code. The scene of the crime is being inspected, witnesses are being questioned and expert reports are to be appointed.