site.btaRegional Minister Visits Hitrino on Train Disaster Anniversary, Inspects Reconstruction Efforts

Hitrino, Northeastern Bulgaria, December 10 (BTA) - Regional Development Minister Nikolai Nankov visited the northeastern village of Hitrino to inspect the reconstruction efforts in the village on the first anniversary of the train explosion disaster on Sunday. Nankov was accompanied by mayors and experts.

In the early morning of December 10, 2016, a freight train carrying flammable LPG and polypropylene in 24 tank cars from Bourgas to Rousse was derailed as it entered Hitrino. One of the derailed tank cars was ruptured and leaked a cloud of prolypropylene which exploded and set fire to buildings within a large perimeter. Seven people died and 29 were injured. 26 houses were completely destroyed and many more were badly damaged.

Speaking to journalists, Nankov said that public infrastructure was the number one responsibility of the state and in Hitrino it did more than what law and ethics instructed. The state provided resources not just for one-off allowances but to repair damage on private properties. In addition, the state has provided access to EU funds to the municipality of Hitrino. The reconstruction of the public infrastructure began immediately and the local authorities received assistance with some key projects related to road and water infrastructure, said Nankov.

The Minister vowed to inspect the construction of the houses and to meet with the local community.

The state is building 13 new houses. In addition, the National Construction Chamber has built another ten houses which will become habitable within days.