Embankments within a sprawling airbase in central Greece, where a large explosion took place last week due to a wildfire, apparently prevented an even worst outcome, according to results of a report to be unveiled on Wednesday.
Portions of the report, composed by armed forces bomb disposal experts, cited by Athens-based Mega Channel on Tuesday.
Effects of the wildfire entering the perimeter of the Nea Aghialos airbase and reaching a cache of discarded munitions first caused several smaller blast, before a mushroom explosion was seen and heard for several kilometers. The immediate vicinity, in Magnesia prefecture and near by the central Greece port city of Volos, was evacuated as a result of the first blasts.
Another point reportedly cited in the probe is that a different course of action by the fire brigade would have prevented the fire from reaching the airbase.
Initial reports stated that a pit filled with discarded munitions or obsolete conventional ordnance was the source of the main explosion.
