DAUGAVPILS – An explosion at the Soviet soldiers’ memorial in Dubrovina Park on Thursday, February 19 injured one person, according to the Daugavpils Municipal Police.
The blast occurred at the memorial site in the city park, which is a popular public thoroughfare. The injured individual received medical assistance on site before being taken to hospital for further evaluation. Municipal police said video from the scene showed the victim conscious and able to move before medical personnel arrived, and no other injuries have been reported.
Police account of the incident
According to the Daugavpils municipal police, the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak in the fuel system serving the memorial’s flame. Officers noted that the memorial usually features an “eternal flame,” which had gone out before the blast, suggesting a possible interruption in gas flow.
A gas tank is located underground near the memorial to fuel the flame. Police said it is likely a gas leak caused the explosion, though the cause has not been officially confirmed and investigators are still working to determine whether a technical fault, maintenance issue or third‑party action played any role. Authorities have cordoned off the area around the memorial as a precaution while inspections continue.
Gas system at the memorial
Eternal flames at war memorials are commonly maintained by a continuous gas supply governed by national fire safety and technical regulations. In Latvia, such systems fall under the country’s gas safety and infrastructure rules set out in the Energy Law, as well as local building and fire codes, which set obligations for operators and municipalities on installation, inspection and emergency procedures.
At Dubrovina Park, officials said the flame was not burning prior to the incident, and there is an underground gas tank at the site to keep the flame operating. Authorities have not released technical details about the fuel system or its recent maintenance status but said a technical inspection of the installation and surrounding soil is under way. City officials indicated that other gas-fed public memorials in Daugavpils may be reviewed as a precaution once initial findings are available.
Investigation and public information
The State Police has launched a criminal investigation and is clarifying the circumstances of the incident in coordination with municipal police, fire and rescue services, and technical experts. Under Latvian procedure, investigators are expected to assess potential violations of safety rules, liability for causing bodily harm, and compliance with infrastructure and fire regulations at the site.
No further comments are being made at this time about the condition of the injured person or potential suspects. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the cordoned-off part of Dubrovina Park until forensic and safety assessments are complete. The government’s broader framework for protecting and managing Soviet-era monuments, including those with eternal flames, is set out in national rules on the status and handling of former USSR military memorials, which are overseen by the Ministry of Culture and relevant municipal authorities and are currently under review in several parts of the country.
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