One day after the day of national mourning, declared on Friday because of the tragic accident at the munitions factory in Gorni Lom, Northwestern Bulgaria which killed 15 workers, people in the country have been asking a lot of disturbing questions but getting no answers.
This is no less than the 6th such explosion since 2008. In July and August 2008 two blasts took place at a military storage facility, one in Chelopechene near Sofia and the other in Kazanluk. Fortunately there were no casualties but the blasts inflicted major material damage. In June 2012 a series of explosions and the ensuing fire killed three and wounded dozens at a privately-owned arms disposal depot near Petoluchkata road junction in Southern Bulgaria. Again in Kazanluk, at the Arsenal military factory, blasts shook the town in September 2012, luckily no one was hurt. And again at an Arsenal factory, this time near Muglizh, an explosion killed one worker. No more than a month ago in Kostenets near Sofia, at a TEREM plant a series of blasts wounded ten – five men and fine women.
This fatal series of accidents only goes to show that there is a systemic problem in Bulgaria. The chronic explosions at military facilities, with traditions going back dozens of years show there is no regard for technological requirements and control in high-risk spheres is poor. For the blasts in Chelopechene, charges were brought against three generals, but only six years after the accident. Now in the village of Gorni Lom it turns out that dangerous explosives had been dismantled by a private company that had had its license retracted by the Interior Ministry twice – in 2007 and in 2010. But after being appealed in court, it was reinstated.
The series of fatalities once again raises the question: wouldn’t it be more advisable to stop private companies from gaining access to high-risk activities, connected with explosives and to commission them only to subsidiaries and specialized Ministry of Defence structures because it seems outside them, the required expert knowledge and discipline is nowhere to be found. A draft to this effect was submitted to the 41st National Assembly but was rejected. Society is in its rights to be asking questions such as this because the latest tragedy in Gorni Lom could have taken more than the 15 lives lost, it could have annihilated an entire village.
English version: Milena Daynova
"It all started on a March evening in 2007 when 2 million people and 2,000 companies in Sydney (Australia) turned off their lights for one hour – from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM – to show that they care about nature and the climate. Back then, no one could..
Concert in North Macedonia turns into tragedy A nightclub fire tragedy left North Macedonia in grief. A concert by the popular hip-hop group DNA, which was supposed to become a celebration in the small town of Kočani, turned into a true..
Scotland is known as "The Land of the Brave" and recognized as the "Homeland of the Bagpipe". An instrument that carries the soul of Bulgarian folklore in its sound. According to unofficial data, the "brave" Bulgarians who are building a life in this..
A unique creative workshop "A Small Seed of Kindness" will open its doors on Palm Sunday, and its place is even more special - Garden "Inspiration" in..
Students and teachers from two educational companies of the National Commerce and Banking High School won awards at the global business competition Youth..
Is it possible that "Virtues and Religions" will be included in the curriculum and will be mandatory from 2026? This is a debate that..
+359 2 9336 661