site.btaRally Calls for Clean Air, Safe Roads and Responsible Institutions in Ruse

A protest for clean air, safe roads and responsible institutions was held in Ruse. Held under the motto "Let's protect our children", it started in front of the building of the Regional Environmental and Water Inspectorate, then continued with a march to the court house in the central Svoboda Square.

The protesters demanded a clean environment for all residents of the municipality, as well as a full inspection of the responsible institutions and enterprises considered to be the main air polluters in the city.

Earlier last month, the director of the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Water, Daud Ibryam, said that all possible ways were being sought to counter the air pollution problems in Ruse.

"Ruse's population is declining, there is an increase in cancer rates. Institutions have clearly not done their job to ensure prevention in view of these alarming trends. We want to find out what is the reason for the inaction. That is why we are also demanding an inspection by the Regional Environmental and Water Inspectorate, the Regional Health Inspectorate and the Labour Inspectorate. We want more and real information about working conditions and the health of workers in the enterprises. Our wish is to revoke the environmental impact assessments of these companies due to their long and ongoing record of violation," one of the protest organizers, Peter Penchev, told BTA.

Earlier this week, the manager of Complex Oncological Centre Ruse, Dr Svetoslav Dachev, said that there is no increase in the number of lung cancer patients, there is a general decrease in the population, and tumors are already detected at an earlier stage. The head of the pneumology department, Dr Hristo Metev, commented that the main problem for lung cancer is not air pollution, but smoking.

Similar trends were described to BTA by Dr Kamen Kozhuharov, the manager of the cancer treatment center.

"In reality, there is even a trend for fewer cases of cancer. For lung cancer, the incidence is 70 per 100,000 in 2019 for the city of Ruse, and in 2023 there are 45 cases. There is a downward trend in cases even for colon cancer and gynecological diseases. Only prostate cancer cases have increased by 10%t. Our early detection rate is about 70%, which is a good indicator. In terms of mortality, Ruse is even below the "golden mean" among the districts. We are 17th in cancer mortality," Dr Kozhuharov told BTA.

The protesters also demanded real visible actions on the construction of the Ruse-Veliko Tarnovo expressway, as well as the rehabilitation and safety of the road to Byala.

"We cannot agree that these are normal roads. These roads are not fit for the current traffic. The state should devote enough attention and funds to revitalize our region, to make the roads safe and increase their flow," Penchev added.

With similar demands at the end of last week, a protest motorcade was held on streets and boulevards in Ruse, after which traffic was blocked in the area of the roundabout near the Danube Bridge.