15 die in Bulgarian munitions plant explosion

BUCHAREST, Romania, Oct. 2 (UPI) —

The Bulgarian government announced Thursday an explosion at a munitions factory caused 15 fatalities.

It said at least 15 people died and three were injured at the facility in Gorni Lom in the northwestern part of the country. Leader of Bulgaria’s trade union confederation, Plamen Dimitrov, said the factory was testing a new product Wednesday, the day of the blast, and added safety and health regulations were not followed, local media reported.

"Unfortunately, all currently available data from the specialized teams at the blast site leave little hope of survivors to be found," a government statement said Thursday, adding Friday was declared a national day of mourning. Bulgarian Attorney General Sotir Tsatsarov ordered a full investigation and a sealing-off of the area to anyone not involved in the rescue and investigation.