site.btaUPDATED Interior Minister Describes Flooding in Elenite Village as "Insurmountable Disaster"

Speaking at a news briefing in the Elenite resort village on Friday, Bulgaria's Interior Minister Daniel Mitov described the flooding there as "an insurmountable disaster." "We must take all necessary measures to deal with the aftermath," he added.

According to forecasts, the rainfall will continue, though it may not be as intense. However, the soil is already saturated and cannot absorb additional water, Mitov said. "For at least the next 24 hours, no risks should be taken. It is best for people to be evacuated so that no one’s health or life is endangered," he added.

Mitov urged residents to evacuate, noting that the exact number of people who have not yet been evacuated remains unclear.

"There are currently no other crisis points on the Black Sea coast, and we hope none will arise," the Minister said. He added that authorities are maintaining close contact with the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology to stay informed about upcoming heavy rainfall and to be ready to respond to any risks.

"All services responded promptly at the onset of the disaster, but the magnitude of the natural disaster had rendered them unable to save the person who died during the first wave [of flooding]," Mitov said.

He explained that earth and tree debris had slid down from the mountain and reached the beach at the Elenite village, sweeping several cars into the sea.

"No people are unaccounted for. A family in distress in the Elenite area was rescued after their car was caught in the flooding. Many people were rescued today," Mitov said, thanking all who took part in the response. He praised emergency units, the Border Police, the Burgas Regional Administration, and the local municipal authorities for their swift action.

Mitov noted that all available teams - including firefighters, units from the Interior Ministry and the Defence Ministry, volunteers, municipal workers, the Burgas Regional Administration, and the Border Police - remain on the ground in Elenite. Divers have checked all vehicles swept into the sea and no people were found inside, he added.

"For several days the forecast has warned of heavy rainfall. The Council of Ministers sent the relevant notifications to the regional administrations. Yesterday we held a coordination meeting at the Interior Ministry, where all agencies involved in safety and civil protection reported their readiness. They were prepared, but when nature strikes, no matter how ready you are, sometimes, unfortunately, there is nothing you can do," Mitov said.

He added that Interior Ministry patrols will remain in the Elenite resort village overnight.