Prague, Jan 18 (CTK) – The operation in the ammunition complex in Vrbetice, south Moravia, where ammunition exploded in October 2014, has cost the Czech military, police and firefighters 348.1 million crowns by the end of 2015, according to the information CTK has acquired.
The total includes the wages that the state would have to pay in any case, but also overtime hours.
The costs will further grow as works in the complex will continue almost for the whole year. In addition, the state will have to cover the clearance of the area, settlement of property relations to real estate and damage reimbursement court proceedings.
The first explosion in the Vrbetice complex occurred in October 2014 and claimed two lives. It was followed by 355 uncontrolled blasts. Another store went up in December 2014. Both stores were leased by Imex Group of Ostrava, north Moravia.
The police investigate the explosions as a wilful endangering of public safety.
A state attorney has already filed a complaint against five people and two firms over the storing of banned explosives.
Some 2000 people from the surrounding area had to leave their homes during five evacuations. The clearance of the complex may take several years.
($1=24.756 crowns)
