British News Agency

An explosion occurred at an ammunition depot near the village of Belitsa in Bulgaria's Gabrovo region.

According to a statement by Bulgaria's Interior Ministry, police, fire brigade, gendarmerie and emergency service teams were dispatched to the scene after the explosion occurred at the ammunition depot shortly before 11:00 a.m. No fatalities were reported.

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said measures had been taken to evacuate residents from the village of Belitsa and nearby settlements, but noted that the evacuation was precautionary.

Demerdzhiev said the necessary work was under way to bring the fire under control and that the causes of the incident were being investigated. Pointing out that the explosion occurred during the day while employees were present, he said the causes were more likely to be internal.

Demerdzhiev said: “The Interior Ministry cannot replace all the missing systems in the state, declining education or family upbringing. Do not expect everything solely from the Interior Ministry, because it is not the only institution that has responsibilities toward young people.”