site.btaOne Killed, Eight Injured in Car Race Crash near Aladzha Monastery in Varna

One person was killed and eight were injured during an incident at the Aladzha Monastery hill climb car race in Varna on Sunday. The event was organized by the Automobile Federation of Bulgaria. The accident occurred when a racing car, driven by Neyko Neykov, reportedly lost control on a turn, crashed through a guardrail, and struck spectators. A 60-year-old man died at the scene. A 27-year-old woman was admitted to intensive care with life-threatening injuries. Several others sustained closed fractures. The driver was not injured and has been detained for 24 hours.

Later, the event organizers said that the injured had been standing in an area prohibited for the public. The rally’s sports director, Slavi Slavov, explained that warning signs and barrier tape had been placed in the area where the incident occurred. In his words, 45 marshals and 15 municipal police officers were in charge of ensuring safety during the event.

The Varna District Prosecution Office initiated a pre-trial investigation into the incident. The case is being investigated under Article 123 of the Criminal Code, as it involves a sporting event considered an activity that poses an increased risk and is subject to specific regulatory requirements, the prosecution said. 

The Minister of Youth and Sports ordered an immediate inspection of the Automobile Federation of Bulgaria and the organization of the event to determine whether all regulatory requirements and safety rules were observed. The inspection will be carried out by the Regional Coordination and Control Directorate at the Ministry.

Speaking at a news conference later in the day, Chief Commissioner Petko Kamburov, head of the Traffic Police in Varna, said that the field test of the driver who caused the crash had come back positive for amphetamines. Kamburov noted that the driver voluntarily underwent alcohol and drug testing. The alcohol test was negative.

Commissioner Dimitar Lukov, head of the Security Police in Varna, said that the Varna Regional Police Directorate was not responsible for ensuring the safety of the race itself. Its role was limited to stopping civilian traffic from entering the race route.