Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

At least five people die after train explodes in Bulgaria

Cargo train carrying propane-butane derails, hits electricity line and then bursts into flames

 

Saturday 10 December 2016 10:22 GMT
Comments
Smoke rises after a cargo train derailed and exploded in the village of Hitrino, Bulgaria
Smoke rises after a cargo train derailed and exploded in the village of Hitrino, Bulgaria (Reuters)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

At least five people have been killed and another 23 injured after a cargo train derailed and exploded in Bulgaria.

The train, carrying propane-butane, derailed at a station in Hitrino, a village in the northeast of the country.

After coming off the tracks, it hit an electricity line causing it to burst into flames.

“The explosion has also caused a fire. We do not expect a second blast, but the people from the village are being evacuated,” Nikolai Nikolov, head of fire safety and civil defence at the police, told Reuters.

Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Georgi Kostov added: “Two blasts have caused a serious fire and ruined at least 20 buildings. There are many people injured ... many with burns.”

Police announced they were investigating the incident as 150 firefighters put out the fire and searched for survivors.

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov, was travelling to the village, which is 280km northeast of Sofia and home to approximately 800 people.

Mr Borissov urged people to donate blood to the local hospital where the injured were being transported.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in