Fire at ammunition depot in Bulgaria raises fears of neglect or sabotage

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Bulgarian authorities have launched investigations into an explosion at a weapons storage site in central Bulgaria overnight that came in the wake of another blaze at a munitions depot in recent weeks.

Interior Minister Ivan Dermendzhiev on Saturday told reporters that no one was injured in the blaze near the village of Tsareva Livada and that the fire was under control, with investigations ongoing.

He also indicated that the incident might be linked to a previous fire at another facility of the EMCO company in August.

“There is a neglect of the conditions under which explosives and ammunition are stored,” Demerdzhiev said, putting blame on the management.

“There is also neglect of the method of security — we have one incident, we have a second. This activity is a serious enough source of danger not to neglect measures in any way,” he said.

Demerdzhiev who is part of the center-left government of former president Rumen Radev, which has been hesitant to provide military aid to Ukraine, did not comment on suggestions made by opposition parties that the fires could be linked to sabotage actions by Moscow against plants supplying arms to Ukraine.

In the past decade, there have been several explosions at arms factories of the EMCO company, which has been supplying arms to Ukraine.

In 2015, EMCO owner Emilian Gebrev survived an assassination attempt against him, for which charges have been lodged against three Russian nationals suspected to be Russian military intelligence operatives.

Police and fire department near Tsareva Livada, Bulgaria, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 as Bulgarian authorities launched investigations in an explosion at a weapons storage site in central Bulgaria overnight, which came in the wake of another blaze at a munition's depot in the last weeks. (AP Photo/BGNES Agency)

Police and fire department near Tsareva Livada, Bulgaria, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 as Bulgarian authorities launched investigations in an explosion at a weapons storage site in central Bulgaria overnight, which came in the wake of another blaze at a munition's depot in the last weeks. (AP Photo/BGNES Agency)

Fire from an ammunition depot storage of the EMCO company near Tsareva Livada, Bulgaria, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026 as Bulgarian authorities launched investigations in an explosion at a weapons storage site in central Bulgaria overnight, which came in the wake of another blaze at a munition's depot in the last weeks. (AP Photo/BGNES Agency)

BERLIN (AP) — Gabby Williams led France to the final of the women’s FIBA World Cup with an 86-64 win over host Germany on Saturday.

Willams scored 22 points and had five rebounds to put France in touching distance of the title after a dogged performance from the host, which refused to give up in front of a partisan crowd at Berlin Arena.

“A tricky game,” France coach Jean Aime Toupane said.

Janelle Salaün had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Marine Johannès, who contributed three 3-pointers among her 13 points, slowed the game down in the final quarter.

“It was really a fight tonight, I think we were ready for that,” Johannès said.

It was the first semifinal appearance for both teams since the stage was introduced in 1986.

France will play Spain or the United States, the four-time defending champion and tournament favorite, in Sunday’s final. Their semifinal was later Saturday.

There was an air of nervous anticipation around the arena before tip-off as Germany, already further than ever before in its second tournament appearance, would need another major upset to make the final.

Germany coach Olaf Lange spoke of “ German basketball’s best day ” after the quarterfinal win over European champion Belgium.

France scored more than 90 points in each of its four games, while Germany managed that in its last two after recovering impressively since losing its opening game to Spain by 30 points.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

France's Marieme Badiane guards Germany's Marie Guelich during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between France and Germany in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

German fans cheer during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between France and Germany in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

France's Valeriane Ayayi, left, Marine Johannes, center, and Mamignan Toure react during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between France and Germany in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

France's Marine Johannes guards Germany's Alexandra Wilke during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between France and Germany in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

France's Gabby Williams scores over Germany's Marie Guelich during the Women's Basketball World Cup semifinal match between France and Germany in Berlin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)