Fire at Romanian arms plant destroys over 100,000 cartridges, sabotage not ruled out

A fire that broke out on the night of August 1 at the Cugir Mechanical Plant in central Romania destroyed approximately 130,000 cartridges of 14.5 mm caliber, with the potential compromise of hundreds of thousands more, local authorities confirmed.

According to initial data from the Alba County Police Inspectorate, roughly 400,000 cartridges, valued at around €5 million, were stored in the facility’s hall at the time of the incident. The plant, which specialises in the production of small arms, had prepared the ammunition for imminent delivery, Caliber.Az reports per Romanian media. 

Representatives from the plant estimated that the remaining stock may also be compromised due to the fire. Investigators from the National Institute of Forensic Science, part of Romania’s General Inspectorate of Police, were dispatched to Cugir to assist with the on-site investigation.

The case is being handled under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office attached to the Alba Iulia Court, with authorities pursuing an investigation into negligent destruction.

Romanian Minister of Economy Radu Miruță visited the site on August 2 and stated that the possibility of sabotage had not been excluded. He said that authorities were considering all scenarios, including external interference and spontaneous ignition, and emphasised the importance of awaiting the conclusions of forensic experts.

Despite the damages, the minister assured that the incident would not affect the plant’s ability to fulfill its current contractual obligations.

By Sabina Mammadli