On March 20, a significant fire broke out at a facility in Pardubice, located approximately 100 kilometers east of Prague, prompting an investigation into a potential terrorist act. Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar have both confirmed the ongoing inquiry, with Metnar establishing a crisis management team to address the situation.
The blaze affected a production building belonging to LPP Holding, a company known for manufacturing drone systems, some of which are supplied to Ukraine. The fire also impacted the company’s office. In December 2025, LPP Holding showcased the Narwhal missile, designed for a range exceeding 600 kilometers, intended for delivery to the Ukrainian armed forces.
A previously unknown group, calling itself the “Earthquake Faction,” has claimed responsibility for the incident. They assert that their actions are a protest against the production of weapons at the Pardubice site, which they allege supports genocide against Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon. The group registered a website the day before the fire and subsequently launched a Telegram channel, where they shared a video depicting two individuals setting fire to the company’s workshop.
LPP Holding has acknowledged the fire at one of its locations but refrained from speculating on the cause or circumstances surrounding the incident. The company had expressed interest in participating in a tender announced by Israeli firm Elbit in 2023, which was later canceled.
Czech Police Chief Martin Vondrášek reported that authorities were alerted to the fire shortly after 4 AM. Following the incident, information was disseminated to various Czech media outlets from an email address linked to the Earthquake Faction’s website. As part of the investigation, a pyrotechnic examination is being conducted to determine the cause of the fire.
A fire at LPP Holding's facility in Pardubice is being investigated as a potential terrorist act. The incident has drawn attention from Czech officials and a group claiming responsibility has linked the act to protests against weapon production.