Four Die in Train Car Fire at Sofia Train Station

UPDATED Four Die in Train Car Fire at Sofia Train Station

Nikolay Zabov

The scene of a train fire at Sofia Central Station, December 31, 2024 (BTA Photo/Nikola Uzunov)

Sofia,

31.12.2024 10:07 | UPDATED 31.12.2024 15:59

(BTA)

Four died after a train car parked at Sofia Central Railway Station caught fire in the small hours of Tuesday and two others were seriously harmed, said Sofia police. An investigation is underway.

The two injured were taken to the Pirogov Emergency Hospital to be treated for inhaling toxic fumes.

Later in the day, the Interior Ministry press office told BTA that two persons have been arrested in relation to the incident.

Earlier, the Interior Ministry reported that around 02:30 hrs on Tuesday several homeless people got in a car standing at the Sofia Central Station and caused a fire. The initial information was of two people dead and two injured. A fire service crew and medics were rushed to the scene. The fire was suppressed.

The investigation is looking into several possible scenarios that include both deliberate arson and accidental fire, a Spokesperson for the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, Desislava Petrova, told BTA. She explained that evidence is still being collected, and more information on the case could be provided later.

Later on Tuesday, Deputy Sofia City Prosecutor Ivo Iliev told a news briefing that, according to initial data from the investigation, the incident took place after a confrontation between two people. The investigation is looking into possible arson that led to the fatalities, as one of the participants allegedly set fire to the car.

Nikolay Stanchev, head of the Investigation Department at the Sofia Directorate of Interior, said that the arson scenario is based on witness testimonies and on the evidence collected. The two detainees lead a vagabond lifestyle and have already been convicted before. One of them will likely be indicted for arson, while the other will likely be called as a witness.

The four victims are yet to be identified, which will require DNA examination and autopsy.

/NF/