Just before 11 a.m. today, an explosion at the BAE Systems Glasco Ed plant in southern Wales struck a chord among local residents and emergency services were launched.
According to British media on April 17, the accident occurred in a building inside the factory, and the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service responded quickly. "On Wednesday 17th April, at 10.49am, there was an incident inside the office building of BAE Systems Glascoed, an explosion inside the building," the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said. All emergency services have been on the scene and an incident control station has been set up to deal with the incident. ”
Although eyewitnesses described the explosion as not very loud, the impact of the earthquake caused nearby residents to feel a tremor of the earthquake, and even caused nearby cars to shake.
Thankfully, there were no injuries, as the explosion occurred in a more remote area of the plant and was mainly used to fill shells. A spokesperson for BAE Systems confirmed the news that there were no casualties and assured the public of the safety of all personnel.
"This happened in a very remote part of the plant", they noted, stressing that all personnel had already been confirmed. The company quickly activated established safety protocols, and emergency response teams were quickly dispatched to the scene.
In an official statement, BAE Systems acknowledged the incident and reiterated the implementation of strict safety measures and the continuous monitoring of the plant. The spokesman reaffirmed his commitment to thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident. Earlier this year, the plant was disrupted in support of Palestinian demonstrators, underscoring the controversial nature of the facility.
As one of Europe's largest military contractors, the Glasco Eid plant, operated by BAE Systems, specializes in the production of ammunition, missile launchers and artillery systems. Situated in the picturesque county of Monmouth, the plant has a rich historical background dating back to its establishment as a Royal Navy bomb filling factory on the eve of World War II.
Today, the plant supports around 500 local jobs and contributes to the economic vitality of the region.
Despite the tranquility of the surroundings, the plant has recently attracted attention due to its involvement in the supply of armaments. Protests earlier this year accused the company of supplying weapons such as F-35 stealth fighter jets and artillery ammunition to the IDF, sparking tensions and raising concerns about BAE systems operations.