By Michael Heitmann

Polička (Czech Republic) - An explosion has occurred at an ammunition factory in the Czech Republic . One person was seriously injured, according to the fire department.

The worker was flown to a hospital in a rescue helicopter. The fire department was deployed with a large contingent. The entire factory premises were evacuated.

The accident occurred at an ammunition and metal processing plant near the town of Polička, around 135 kilometers east of Prague. The police set up a safety radius around the accident site and closed roads.

According to initial findings, a technical error in the manufacturing process appears to be the most likely cause of the explosion, a spokesperson said.

There were initially no indications of a political background. The Czech arms industry has been running at full speedsince the Russian attack on Ukraine .

According to media reports, the accident occurred in a warehouse containing the explosive TNT. The material damage and the exact cause have yet to be determined.

Tank and artillery ammunition is manufactured on the factory premises. The company is also involved in the repair and modernization of old infantry fighting vehicles, tanks and howitzers. In the civilian sector, the company specializes in door systems for buses.