An explosion rocked a Rheinmetall defense plant in the Murcia region of Spain, according to emergency services cited by EFE. The blast occurred at the Rheinmetall Expal Munitions facility, which specializes in ammunition and explosives production.
The explosion happened at approximately 16:20 local time, leaving six workers injured. Five were hospitalized, while one received on-site medical assistance.
The fire caused by the explosion spread over 2,000 square meters but has since been extinguished, according to Heraldo.
Reports from El País suggest the detonation may have occurred in a powder magazine, though the exact cause is still under investigation.
Rheinmetall is Germany’s largest arms manufacturer and a key supplier of military equipment and ammunition to Germany, NATO countries, and Ukraine.
Security concerns around Rheinmetall have been heightened in recent months.
In July 2024, US and German intelligence agencies foiled an assassination attempt on Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, allegedly orchestrated by Moscow. NATO officially confirmed this information in January 2025.
Fears of Russian Sabotage in Europe
The explosion comes amid warnings from the Pentagon that Russia may be planning sabotage operations in Europe.
NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Cybersecurity and Innovation, James Appathurai, recently stated that Russia is using criminal groups, young recruits, and migrants—often recruited online—to conduct such attacks.
The goal, according to NATO, is to spread fear and weaken European support for Ukraine.
