Depot Blast Highlights Serbia's Weak Arms Controls

The latest blast in Serbia in the military facility at Kragujevac, which killed four persons, raises further questions about Serbia's ability to control its ageing stocks of ammunition, experts say.

Military analyst Aleksandar Radic told BIRN that speculation about the exact causes of the incident in Kragujevac was premature but the human factor was probably to blame.

"No standards can prevent an accident in which someone does something because of negligence. Discipline is the key," Radic said.

He said the Serbian Army, much like Serbian society generally, still struggled with issues of following procedures.

Four persons was killed and 25 were injured after an explosion at a military repair depot in the central town of Kragujevac on Tuesday.

The depot was used to dismantle old ammunition, a job that includes removing gunpowder, explosives and other substances from parts.

The Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that all those injured in the blast were now in a stable condition. During the night, the 74 Kragujevac army depot workers were relocated to a safe place in the depot.  

Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic admitted that the danger of new explosions still exists.

Meanwhile, an on-site investigation has begun and an investigation into the causes and consequences of the accident will be led by the Deputy Prosecutor in Kragujevac.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday said the alliance remains committed to helping the countries of the Balkans, including Serbia, to safely store their weapon stocks and destroy dangerous surplus ammunition.

In 2011, Serbia requested assistance from Western countries and NATO to further develop the capacity of the depot in Kragujevac, the Defence...