BAE munitions factory hit by explosion with urgent protocols enacted

Safety protocols were "immediately enacted" and no injuries have been reported.

The incident took place at a remote part of the site in south Wales, which belongs to BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defence firm.

It said it had launched a full investigation into the incident.

A spokesperson for BAE Systems said: "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."

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The explosion caused the ground to "shake", the South Wales Argus reported.

South Wales Fire and Rescue service said in a statement online: "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."

BAE Systems, the largest military contractor in Europe, was established to help prepare the Royal Navy ahead of World War Two.

The company produces ammunition, missile launchers and artillery systems.

It currently employs roughly around 500 people, according to BAE Systems.

Last year, BAE Systems sites were targeted by pro-Palestinian activists calling for "an immediate, permanent ceasefire" in the Israel and Gaza conflict.

Workers for a Free Palestine blocked sites in Bournemouth, Lancashire, Kent, Brighton and Glasgow in November and December 2023.

A spokesperson from the group said: "Over 1000 trade unionists at multiple sites across Britain are blockading arms factories that are supplying arms to Israel! Today trade unionists have shut down 4 sites in Britain which produce components for the F-35 fighter jet currently being used in Israel's bombardment of Gaza."