site.btaActing Prosecutor General Sarafov Calls for Inspection of BG-ALERT Early Warning System

Bulgaria’s Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov has sent a letter to Interior Minister Daniel Mitov and Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, head of the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Population Protection, calling for an inspection of the BG-ALERT early warning system.

In his letter, Sarafov points out that Bulgaria has been affected by a number of disasters in recent years - floods, extreme temperatures, storms, and wildfires - which have led to loss of life and caused significant damage to infrastructure, including in energy systems, water resources, industry, agriculture, livelihoods and property. These events have raised concerns about the sustainability and safety of the environment in which people live.

In view of the recent increase in earthquakes in the neighboring Republic of Turkiye, in the region of the Sea of Marmara, which have also been felt in Bulgaria, members of the public have expressed concerns about the reliability of the BG-ALERT public warning system, the Acting Prosecutor General further said.

The inspection is intended to assess whether there has been effective coordination and communication among the state and local authorities responsible for taking adequate action to protect people’s lives and health and reduce property damage in the event of earthquakes and other emergencies.

The Prosecutor General has also requested information on the result of the inspection, including any violations identified, the actions taken to address them, and the specific measures taken to ensure timely public warnings in the event of a disaster. Should any evidence of criminal offences be brought to light, those responsible will be held criminally liable, the letter said.