site.btaSofia’s Municipal Council Puts Off Decision on Landslide Risk Near Former Steelworks Lake

The risk of landslides engulfing houses near a lake formed in the former Kremlikivtsi steelworks territory, just outside Sofia, remains unresolved after the Municipal Council postponed voting on a crucial environmental report for the second time.

The lake, created by accumulating underground and rainwater in a large pit near the old mine, is located only 100 meters from nearby homes, sports fields, and roads. Over the years, the banks have started to slip, creating a serious threat to the safety of local residents.

The Deputy Mayor of Sofia, Nadezhda Bobcheva, stressed the urgency of obtaining a mandate from the Municipal Council to take action addressing the landslide issue. “After prolonged negotiations with the property owner, Metaltrade Engineering Ltd., the municipality has reached a preliminary agreement for joint measures. However, these cannot proceed without Municipal Council approval,” Bobcheva said during a Tuesday news briefing.

The property, bought in 2009 as agricultural land after the insolvency of the Kremlikivtsi steelworks, was stripped of its drainage infrastructure by the new owner, which has led to the uncontrolled rise of water levels in the pit, now covering about 200 meters and attracting children to swim - a major safety concern.

Kremikovtsi District Mayor Liliya Donkova emphasized that the problem has persisted for over 16 years without effective intervention. She recalled that the pond has become a de facto lake with increasing landslide activity, and urged the Municipal Council to approve the agreement that would enable the commissioning of detailed technical studies and projects to stabilize the site.

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev has established a commission including experts from Sofia's Mining and Geology University to assess the situation and recommend solutions, with a site visit revealing the ongoing risks.

Despite these efforts, on the environmental commission’s agenda, the report aiming to authorize the municipality to begin mitigation works was again postponed following a motion by Council member Anton Hekimyan (GERB-UDF), supported by several other councilors.

This delay is the second in a row, frustrating local authorities who warn that continued inaction may escalate the situation into a crisis.

The Kremikovtsi district administration called on all stakeholders to act responsibly and swiftly to safeguard residents and prevent further deterioration of the site’s stability.