Sofia, Bulgaria A large munitions depot caught fire which caused several rounds to explode sending shrapnel flying throughout the area. No major injuries have been reported as a result of the accident. Authorities have evacuated residents for several miles and the airport has been temporarily closed over concerns of the potential for more explosions. Military officials estimate that over 1,500 tons of ammunition is stored at the facility. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Paris, France A public military show took a turn for the worst when 17 people including three children were unintentionally shot. Apparently a gun used in the show was accidentally loaded with real bullets instead of blanks. The incident occurred during a demonstration of hostage-freeing techniques.

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Hill AFB, Utah An F-16 pilot accidentally straffed a rental vehicle with its 20mm Gatling-style cannon during a Close Air Support (CAS) exercise on the Utah Test and Training Range Complex. Two soldiers were in the car when the firing occurred but managed to escape with only minor injures.

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Rockaway Township, New Jersey Fragmentation from an artillery shell crashed through the roof of a residential house located approximately .5 miles from Picatinny Arsenal. The 2-pound chunk of metal landed in the bed of a 10-year old girl. Fortunately, the girl was not home at the time of the incident. The girl's mother, who was home when the accident occurred, reportedly heard a load crash in the house. When she investigated, she was surprised to find the piece of molten metal smoldering in her daughter's bed.

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Tirana, Albania 16 people were killed when a series of explosions occurred at an ammunition storage depot. The exact cause of the incident is unknown but Authorities suspect that it may have occurred as a result of on-going demilitarization operations involving large artillery projectiles.

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Vandenberg Air force Base, California a 1950s era UXO (type not reported) was discovered on the base which was determined by EOD to be too hazardous to move due to its age and condition. The only option at hand was to deal with the UXO in place therefore, it was decided that a Blow In Place or BIP open detonation operation would be performed on the UXO.

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Richmond, Virginia A man who ran a Civil War relic business was fatally wounded when a munition item he was reportedly handling exploded outside the detached garage at his home. Police responded and evacuated dozens of nearby homes after a search of his property turned up other UXO at the house.

Raleigh, North Carolina Two men have been detained for questioning in connection to the explosive incident that occurred at the Raleigh Scrap Metal Recycling Plant (see UXOInfo.com article posted 13 February). The men were detained after a search of their mobile home and surrounding property resulted in two live projectiles being recovered. Munitions debris was also recovered from their property as well.

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Raleigh, North Carolina Two workers at the Raleigh Metal Processors plant were injured when an explosive incident occurred during a scrap metal recycling process. The two workers were taken to a nearby medial facility for observation. The two were reported to be in good condition and released.

The metal recycling facility is set up to process munitions debris (i.e. non hazardous items) but it appears that some hazardous munitions items got co-mingled with the scrap that was being processed. It is unknown at this time exactly what type of munition or explosive configuration caused the incident. The incident however sparked an in depth investigation by local Authorities.

The EOD unit from Fort Bragg was called to help support the investigation. The EOD unit reportedly found other items that potentially presented an explosive hazard. These items were safely detonated by EOD in a series of controlled demolition shots. Nearby neighbors were evacuated and streets were closed during the detonations.

MCAS Miramar, California The Marine Corps reported that 15 non-lethal grenades and 5 empty AT-4 launch tubes were missing from a secured storage facility. The AT-4 launch tubes did not contain explosives. Authorities suspect that the munitions items were stolen. NCIS and Marine Corps officials are investigating the incident.