At around 11:06 AM today, a deadly explosion rocked a former military depot in Oštarije, Josipdol municipality, near Ogulin. A pyrotechnician lost his life while dismantling explosive devices. The Karlovac police swiftly responded and launched an investigation, with experts working to uncover the full circumstances of the tragedy. This is not the first time disaster struck this site — exactly 11 years ago, another pyrotechnician died at the same location, in a former barracks of the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA). The barracks ceased operation in October 1991, when the JNA withdrew from Ogulin and destroyed what was then the largest weapons and ammunition storage of the 5th Army District. Explosions echoed for hours that day. This grim repeat raises serious questions about the safety and management of leftover war materials. When will lessons finally be learned? Got thoughts? Drop them in the mix — maybe your take will spark the change we desperately need.
