One dead in UK defence factory explosion

One person is dead and another is in a critical condition following an explosion at a defence firm factory in Salisbury in the UK.

An explosion at a defence firm factory in Salisbury has killed one person and left another in a critical condition.

Fire broke out at the Chemring Countermeasures facility after the blast on Friday evening, Wiltshire Police said.

The blaze has since been extinguished and the incident has been contained with no risk to the public.

Police and health and safety officers are investigating.

A police spokesman said: "The ambulance service contacted Wiltshire Police and Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service just after 5pm today following reports of an explosion at the Chemring Countermeasures plant on High Post Road, Netton.

"Six fire crews were in attendance. Two were from Salisbury and the rest from Andover, Fordingbridge, Pewsey and Cranbourne and were supported by the incident command vehicle from Devizes.

"An initial fire on site has been extinguished. We have two casualties that have been identified.

"One of them sadly died at the scene and the other has been taken to hospital in a critical condition."

No further details of the casualties were released and police were yet to inform next of kin on Friday night.

The spokesman added: "The incident has been contained and there is no risk to people in the local area.

"Wiltshire Police and the Health and Safety Executive will now be leading the investigation into the cause of the incident."

Chemring Countermeasures produces flares, chaff and decoys to protect military and civilian air and sea platforms, the company's website says.

It has also designed countermeasure systems for the Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the incident.


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Source: AAP



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