Nicosia, Cyprus. Developments are expected within the next two days in the case of 13.6 kilograms of TNT reported missing from a firing range last week, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas said on Friday. He said no possibility can be ruled out and expressed concern the explosives may be in the hands of individuals with illegal intentions.
Minister comments and possible scenarios
Speaking to CyBC radio, Palmas said he hopes the incident was due to negligence or carelessness rather than organised crime or collaboration between National Guard officials and criminal networks. He said the most likely scenario remains that the TNT was stolen.
Security failings and disciplinary action
Palmas said serious disciplinary offences had been identified in relation to the security measures taken at the firing range. He said consequences will be imposed on those who did not perform their duties properly by National Guard chief Emmanuel Theodorou.
Timeline under investigation
Earlier this week, it was reported that drone footage taken near the shooting range on January 29, the day the TNT went missing, showed the explosives in place during an exercise at around 2 p.m. Police currently believe the material was taken between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Risk assessment and initial reporting
The defence ministry said the quantity of TNT missing poses great risk to human lives if detonated. The TNT was reported missing on Friday last week, and officials said at the time it had been left at the site for a scheduled controlled detonation set to take place on Thursday, which did not occur. When personnel visited the site later that day, they found the TNT was not there.
Investigation focus
Initial suggestions that the material may have been detonated without its use being recorded were swiftly dismissed, with the case being treated as a possible theft by both the police and the defence ministry.
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