Bulgaria to Declare National Mourning over Hitrino Blast

Bulgaria's government has said steps are being made to declare Monday a Day of Nartional Morning following the incident in the northeastern village of Hitrino, in which at least five people have lost their lives.

The cabinet has meanwhile triggered the National Emergency Plan. The response to the tragic blast is being coordinated at the site by Deputy Prime Ministers Rumyana Bachvarova (also Interior Minister) and Tomislav Donchev, Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski, Health Minister Petar Moskov, Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Georgi Kostov, and fire brigade chief Nikolay Nikolov.

Each of Hitrino's residents whose homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable will be handed out BGN 325 (EUR 162.5) in one off assistance, the government press office has announced.

A crisis committee, including several agencies, local officials and fire brigade staff, will be set up to inspect damages and provide urgent assistance to people who sustained injuries.     

Meanwhile, a reporter with private bTV station has said temporary evacuation of Hitrino residents is underway.

Residents who were left homeless by the blast will either spend the night with relatives and friends in nearby towns and villages. Shumen municipality says it is ready to provide accommodation.