The National Guard and police are still seeking to unravel what happened to the large quantity of explosives that vanished from a firing range last Thursday. According to the evidence obtained so far, investigations are now focused on a specific direction. In other words, the scenario that a mistake occurred in counting, transporting or placing the TNT has been ruled out.
From the facts of the case, it emerges that last Thursday all preparations had been made for a total of three controlled explosions at the Kalo Chorio firing range in Larnaca. For this purpose, the surrounding communities had also been duly informed.
On that day, a large number of National Guard personnel from the 20th Brigade were present at the firing range. Everyone on site observed the preparations and the prescribed procedures for setting up the area. At the scheduled time, three explosions were supposed to take place at three different locations. For reasons that are still unknown and under investigation, only two of the three explosions occurred, something that was immediately noticed by those present.
Subsequently, for safety reasons, an order was given and the explosion area was inspected using an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone).
The critical hour
According to information obtained by Politis, at that moment – based on the images transmitted by the drone – the explosives were still in place. Under National Guard protocols, in such cases it is strictly forbidden for anyone to approach the blast area before at least one hour has elapsed. Therefore, everyone waited for the required time to pass before conducting an on-site inspection.
When they finally went in, it was discovered that the box containing 13.6 kilograms of TNT had disappeared. Investigations are therefore focused on what happened during that critical time gap between the drone footage and the physical inspection.
According to Politis sources, investigators are now looking at individuals involved in scrap metal collection and trade, who often enter firing ranges after military exercises to collect exploded shells. Nevertheless, the possibility that someone within the National Guard itself may have been involved is also being considered.
'There will be consequences'
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas expressed his dissatisfaction in statements to ANT1, saying this development “exposes us in a way that could point to issues that may have further implications, which I hope will not materialise.”
“What I expect is that the reasons for how these explosives were lost will be established,” he said.
He warned that “those responsible for what happened will face consequences, whether due to negligence or inadequate conduct in relation to an exercise at a firing range.”
This article was originally published in Politis.