Nestinarka Bridge Sinks, Cutting off Villages South of Tsarevo

Tens of cars were trapped when a bridge linking Tsarevo and the villages south of it, sank around noon on September 6, 2023 (BTA Photo)

Tsarevo, on the Black Sea,

06.09.2023 16:37

(BTA)

A bridge on the flood-hit southern Bulgarian Black Sea coast which connected the municipal centre Tsarevo and the villages of Varvara, Sinemorets, Rezovo and the town of Ahtopol to the south, sank around Wednesday noon and became impassable. It was the only remaining link with the settlements south of Tsarevo after the destructive floods on Tuesday.

The bridge is on the bypass route through the Nestinarka camping.

The sinking of the bridge left tens of cars trapped. There are two ambulances in the area of the bridge and one was sent to take a pregnant women in labour. The woman had to be carried by hand across and was rushed to hospital.

Pedestrians are also not allowed to cross the bridge.

The Interior Ministry said that they have had to stop all traffic between Tsarevo and Ahtopol because there is no alternative connection. They are exploring the possibility of using an existing dirt road.

Earlier on Wednesday, the government press service said that a pontoon bridge will be built to replace a destroyed bridge on the Tsarevo - Varvara road. The bridge segments will be sent from Sliven in south-central Bulgaria and will be carried on four trucks with the first due to arrive at Varvara around 16 hrs.

The bridge of Sinemorets is now passable, the Interior Ministry Regional Directorate reported late Wednesday afternoon. They pointed out that people in Rezovo and Sinemorets could start withdrawing to the north.

Earlier, the police said that an alternative route for people in Ahtopol has been opened: Varvara - Brodilovo - Kalinche locality (to the shelter on the right), and after 500 meters one reaches a stabilized road in the direction of the village of Izgrev from where Tsarevo can be reached.

/NF/