site.btaUPDATED Man Killed by Burgas-Sofia Fast Train

An elderly man  was hit by the Burgas-Sofia fast train and passed away on Saturday, the press centre of the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) told BTA The train operator said that the man had illegally crossed the railway line. Due to the incident, which occurred at around 8:30 am, there was a delay in the movement of trains in the section.

The Burgas-Sofia train has currently been released for movement with a 113-minute delay, the BDZ informed. Due to the tragic incident, two other trains have also been stopped, the Ruse-Plovdiv train and the Sofia-Burgas train.

The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Stara Zagora indicated that the identity of the deceased pedestrian has not been established. The train operators have been tested for alcohol use, with negative results. The investigation is continuing as part of the pre-trial proceedings under the supervision of the Stara Zagora District Prosecutor's Office.

Kazanlak residents said that this is not the first such incident at this location. The section of the railway line is close to residential buildings and they insist that it be secured with a fence or barrier. Pensioners pass through the section, there are also small children playing nearby and it is high time the place was secured, residents told BTA, adding that reports have been filed with the responsible institutions, but to no avail.