Bulgaria's State of Emergency Remains

The situation in Varna municipality is now under control as announced by Internal Minister Veselin Vouchkov during his visit of the regions affected by the floods on Monday. He was joined by Environmental Minister Ivelina Vassileva and Secretary General to the Ministry of the Interior Svetlozar Lazarov.

Vouchkov urged people to follow strictly the guidelines provided by the institutions and local authorities, as reported by the Bulgarian National Radio.

Environmental Minister Ivelina Vassileva stated that additional BGN 120 M will be allocated to the cleaning fo the riverbeds in Bulgaria, as many of the mayors of the devastated areas pointed the lack of funding as the main problem causing the floods.

There are five victims reported, including a nine year-old boy and a forty-seven year old man, who fell in the overflowing river and drowned as they were crossing a bridge in the village of Ilindentsi.

Additionally, 285 people had to be evacuated from four villages, located in areas with severe damages after the torrential rains. They have been accommodated in local schools and kindergartens after a state of emergency was announced on Monday. The Bulgarian Red Cross has provided food, blankets, and mineral water for them.

The state of emergency will remain in Burgas and Sliven.

The situation in Smolyan municipality is currently under control, with the exception of the town of Devin. 

Tuesday is a day of mourning in Strumyani, in honor of the three victims of the disaster in the Ilindentsi village.