Explosion at BAE Systems weapons factory in south Wales

Police attend the incident at BAE Systems Glascoed
Police attend the incident, which is believed to have happened inside a building at the BAE Systems Glascoed facility - WALES NEWS SERVICE

An explosion has occurred at a military weapons factory in south Wales.

Emergency services were called to BAE Systems Glascoed in Monmouthshire after the blast on Wednesday at 10.49am.

The incident is believed to have happened inside a building within the facility. No injuries have been reported and an investigation has been launched.

A signpost to BAE Systems Glascoed
BAE Systems Glascoed was used as a bomb-filling factory for the Royal Navy circa the Second World War - WALES NEWS SERVICE
File photo of BAE Systems Glascoed in Monmouthshire
The blast occurred at BAE Systems Glascoed in Monmouthshire - David Goddard/Getty Images Europe

A spokesman for BAE Systems told The Telegraph: “We can confirm that there was an incident at our Glascoed facility in Wales this morning.

“Tried and tested safety protocols were immediately enacted and emergency services attended the site.

“All personnel are accounted for and our emergency response team continues to monitor the facility. We have launched a full investigation.”

Emergency services attend the incident at BAE Systems Glascoed
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said that an incident control post had been set up to deal with the blast - WALES NEWS SERVICE

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter: “At 10.49am on Wednesday 17th April, an incident occurred at the premises of BAE Systems Glascoed when an explosion occurred within a building.

“All emergency services are at the scene and an incident control post has been set up to deal with the incident.”

A display of BAE Systems products in Glascoed
BAE Systems, the largest military contractor in Europe, produces ammunition and artillery - Barry Batchelor/PA Archive

The British defence company BAE Systems is the largest military contractor in Europe and produces ammunition and artillery.

Construction of the Glascoed site commenced in 1938 and it was used as a bomb-filling factory for the Royal Navy at the time of the Second World War.

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