Powerful storms hit Bulgaria, casualties reported

Powerful storms hit Bulgaria, casualties reported

Strong storms and torrential rains have hit southeastern and northwestern Bulgaria, causing major flooding and human casualties.

As a result, many communities have been declared in a state of emergency.

According to Interior Minister Daniel Mitov, three people have died in the Elenite resort on the Black Sea coast. Two of the victims were a border guard and a tractor driver, while the third victim died in a hotel after the water rose rapidly.

Images posted on social media show mudslides sweeping away cars on the main roads of the village of Elenite. The floods have caused significant damage to infrastructure, including damaged buildings and roads.

“We see many vehicles submerged in the sea. A drone has been sent to verify if there are passengers inside them,” Deputy Interior Minister Tony Todorov said at a press conference in Sofia.

Meanwhile, environmentalists have raised concerns for years about unregulated construction on the Black Sea coast, which, they say, exacerbates the impact of natural disasters such as floods and storms.