site.btaHitrino Train Disaster Probe Follows Three Main Leads

Hitrino Train Disaster Probe Follows Three Main Leads

Sofia, January 24 (BTA) - The investigation into the train incident in the Village of Hitrino is following three main leads: a breach of the rules of operation of the rolling stock, a technical malfunction of train or of the track and the switches, the prosecution service said.

On 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 Station (Northeastern Bulgaria). Onе of the derailed tank cars was breached and leaked a cloud of prolypropylene which, coming into contact with a spark from a stove in a nearby house, exploded and set fire to buildings within a large perimeter, leaving seven people dead, 29 injured, 26 houses completely destroyed and many more badly damaged.

No evidence whatsoever has been found to suggest a deliberate explosion or a terrorist act. The inspection of the switches and the switch board showed that it was hardly likely that the accident was caused by misrouting the train through the fault of a switchman or a traffic controller.

An additional technical expert examination has been ordered to establish the condition of the train driver vigilance device and other parameters of the locomotive of the derailed train. The locomotive will be towed to Sofia for an exert inspection, and will be accompanied en route by an investigating magistrate of the National Investigation Service to prevent a possible tampering.

Railway administration and railway infrastructure officials will be questioned shortly to clarify the circumstances related to the granting of permits and control over railway freight transport.

National Investigation Service Director Evgeni Dikov said on National Television Tuesday morning that a human error most probably caused the disaster. The train was found to have moved at 80 km/h when the accident occurred, double the 40 km/h speed limit, and the emergency brake was not applied by the driver vigilance. Dikov said that the incoming switch was correctly locked. The drivers have denied any wrongdoing.