Two Workers Killed in Explosion at Philippine Ammunition Plant

Two workers at a private firearms manufacturing facility in the Philippines died after an explosion at the company’s ammunition plant in Marikina City on Monday, according to local police and company officials.

The plant is operated by Armscor Global Defense Inc., a defense manufacturer based in the Philippines that produces firearms and ammunition for domestic and international markets.

The incident occurred in the facility’s Ammunition Section after a box containing primer—a sensitive chemical compound used to ignite gunpowder in ammunition—detonated while it was being handled by the workers.

According to Marikina Police Chief Col. Geoffrey Fernandez, one worker, aged 34, sustained severe chest injuries and died while receiving treatment at Amang Rodriguez Medical Center around 5:15 p.m. A second worker, aged 44, suffered traumatic injuries including the loss of both hands and was pronounced dead later that evening at 8:40 p.m.

A third employee was also injured but has since been discharged from the hospital.

Security footage from the facility will be reviewed as part of the police investigation.

The company said it is cooperating fully with the Philippine National Police and relevant government agencies, and has pledged assistance to the victims’ families.

This is the second reported explosion at the facility in recent years. In February 2024, a fire broke out after a separate blast in the plant’s gunpowder storage area.

The investigation into the July 7 incident is ongoing.