Explosion at BAE Systems weapons factory in south Wales

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 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.”

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.”

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.