The first helicopter for fighting fires under the EU support mechanism has arrived in Bulgaria
SOFIA/PLOVDIV/VELIKO TARNOVO – The first helicopter under the EU support mechanism has arrived in Plovdiv, said Deputy Minister of Interior Toni Todorov on Sunday regarding the aircraft that arrived in Bulgaria to combat the fires. Todorov added that a total of four helicopters and two planes are expected.
The Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office is expected to file charges against the arsonist of the forest between two neighborhoods in Veliko Tarnovo, announced at a briefing the district prosecutor of Veliko Tarnovo Hristo Hristov. The fire between the neighborhoods “Buzludzha” and “Cholakovtsi” broke out on Saturday night, lasting nearly four hours to extinguish the flames. On Sunday, the mayor of Veliko Tarnovo Daniel Panov announced on social media that the fire was intentional and published a video showing a man igniting branches and grass with a lighter. The man has been detained for up to 24 hours, and a pre-trial proceeding has been initiated, clarified the director of the Regional Directorate of the Police, Senior Commissioner Dimitur Mashov.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Veliko Tarnovo has determined that it is a case of intentionally set forest fire aimed at causing panic and fear among citizens. The crime falls under Article 108A of the Penal Code for terrorism. The punishment provides for imprisonment from five to 15 years. As a result of the fire, 30 decares of forest have been burned.
The past days have put the country to a serious test, wrote the Minister of Interior Daniel Mitov on Facebook.
In just one day, the employees of the “Fire Safety and Population Protection” have registered 269 fires under conditions of extremely high temperatures – around and above 40 degrees, and strong winds. The main causes are human negligence, and in some cases, intentional actions – requiring decisive measures and the full severity of the law, stated the Minister of Interior.
According to him, there is currently a battle with four active large fires that engage serious resources – human, technical, and aerial. In the most critical of them – above the village of Ilindenzi, a “Cougar” helicopter from the Bulgarian Air Force is already in operation, as well as aerial teams from Slovakia and Hungary.
On Sunday, three crews landed – from France, Slovakia, and Hungary, said Deputy Minister of Interior Toni Todorov later. Romania sent a “Black Hawk” helicopter to Bulgaria, which will assist in extinguishing the fires, the Romanian Emergency Situations Department reported to BTA. The helicopter took off on Monday morning from an airbase in Bucharest, and this is its first mission outside the country. It is still unclear how long the mission will last, but Romania responded to the appeal of the Bulgarian authorities through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, answered the spokesperson of the Emergency Situations Department Bogdan Toma to a question from BTA.
In the face of Bulgarian firefighters and international teams, we see the true meaning of duty, professionalism, and European solidarity in action, added Daniel Mitov on Facebook. He expressed deep gratitude to all Bulgarian firefighters, volunteers, and military personnel for their professionalism, selflessness, and strength of spirit. We also thank our European partners for their quick response and demonstrated solidarity, Mitov added. (July 27-28)
