site.btaUPDATED Nearly 100m of Railway Infrastructure Destroyed in Derailment in Southern Bulgaria

Between 80 and 100 metres of railway track were destroyed after 13 freight wagons of a 34-wagon train derailed near the village of Pyasachovo, Haskovo Region, early on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov told reporters at the scene. The weight of the tankers, each carrying between 60 and 80 tonnes of diesel fuel, caused the damage to the track, he said.

The train's drivers felt a strong jolt moments before the accident, said Karadjov. He declined to comment on possible causes.

The Transport Minister said the investigation will be carried out by investigators already at the scene. The accident could have been far worse without the quick and professional response of firefighters, who brought the situation under control within two hours. State rail operator BDZ has locomotives on standby to remove the undamaged tankers, Karadjov said.

Daniel Nedelkov, head of train owner Bulmarket, said both drivers were severely shaken. One was taken to hospital due to a suspected sharp rise in blood pressure. Shortly after the incident, they reported a ruptured air conduit on one of the two locomotives.

Karadjov ruled out excessive speed in the accident zone, where the limit is 60 km/h. It is not yet clear how much fuel has leaked from the derailed tankers.

Investigators will review data from both locomotives' recorders, said Boyko Skrobanski, who is leading the probe.

Earlier in the day, Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, head of the Fire Safety and Population Protection Directorate General, said at least eight of the wagons are fuel tankers. The teams' efforts are focused on preventing further fuel leakage and reignition.

Mitko Chakalov, head of the Regional Fire Safety and Civil Protection Service in Haskovo, said firefighters from Stara Zagora and Yambol were assisting their colleagues from Haskovo at the scene of the accident.

Simeonovgrad Mayor Milena Rangelova told BTA from the scene that there are no casualties. Local residents, mostly old people, were greatly alarmed by the explosions, which drove them out of their homes.

Haskovo Regional Governor Stefka Zdravkova is also on the scene, monitoring the situation and supporting firefighters and civil protection teams.