site.btaExclusion Zone Around EMCO's Site Will Not Affect Tourism, Road Traffic - Tryavna Mayor

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, Tryavna Mayor Dencho Minev said that the exclusion zone of approximately 500 metres around EMCO’s site near the village of Belitsa would not affect populated areas, citizens’ rights, tourism, or road traffic.

Minev added that the perimeter covers a wooded area outside the company’s site and has been defined by specific coordinates. The aim is to prevent members of the public from accidentally entering the area and coming across metal fragments or other remnants of ammunition.

"The perimeter will be thoroughly searched to determine whether there are any ammunition fragments," Minev said. He urged members of the public who discover metal fragments or objects they suspect may be connected to the incident to immediately call the emergency number 112 and not to take them away.

The Mayor said that the measures have been taken to ensure long-term safety in the area. "I can categorically state that this does not affect tourism in any way," he noted, adding that people who have planned trips or holidays in Tryavna can go ahead with their plans without concern.

According to Minev, the exclusion zone does not affect populated areas or people living in the vicinity, including residents of the municipality and surrounding villages such as Plachkovtsi. The order does not provide for road closures or the establishment of checkpoints, and people can move around freely.

Minev said there had so far been no disruption to the electricity supply and that the fires in the area had been completely brought under control. Monitoring is continuing because safety within the designated perimeter must be ensured.

"There is a high level of coordination among all the competent authorities, including the Interior Ministry, the fire service, the regional administration and the municipality, with full cooperation from EMCO," the Mayor said.

He also said that investigative authorities had begun working at the site and that procedural actions were continuing under the supervision of the District Prosecution Office.

The mobile air-quality monitoring station in Plachkovtsi remains operational. According to Minev, air-quality indicators are being monitored daily and there have so far been no deviations from the established standards. The mobile station will remain in the town until Friday.

Air quality is also being monitored by fire service teams, whose measurements confirm that there are no deviations, the Tryavna Mayor added.

Earlier in the day, a partial state of emergency was declared for seven days within a 500-metre radius of EMCO’s site near Belitsa.