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| Several killed as Bulgarian freight train derails and explodes | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least five people have been killed and 29 injured as a freight train derailed and exploded in north-east Bulgaria, destroying about 50 houses and public buildings. | At least five people have been killed and 29 injured as a freight train derailed and exploded in north-east Bulgaria, destroying about 50 houses and public buildings. |
| At least three people were in critical condition in hospital after the incident on Saturday morning, health authorities said. | At least three people were in critical condition in hospital after the incident on Saturday morning, health authorities said. |
| “There will be more casualties for sure,” the country’s prime minister, Boiko Borisov, said after arriving in Hitrino, a village of about 1,000 people, where the crash occurred. | “There will be more casualties for sure,” the country’s prime minister, Boiko Borisov, said after arriving in Hitrino, a village of about 1,000 people, where the crash occurred. |
| Twelve of the private train’s tanks, carrying propylene – a highly volatile and flammable gas – derailed at the village’s rail station. One tank struck a high-power line and exploded, police said. | Twelve of the private train’s tanks, carrying propylene – a highly volatile and flammable gas – derailed at the village’s rail station. One tank struck a high-power line and exploded, police said. |
| The blast flattened dozens of houses and public buildings, leaving people under the ruins. Officials ordered a full evacuation of the village. | The blast flattened dozens of houses and public buildings, leaving people under the ruins. Officials ordered a full evacuation of the village. |
| The interior ministry chief secretary, Georgi Kostov, said many of those hurt had burns injuries. An 18-year-old man had died of his wounds in hospital in nearby Shumen. | The interior ministry chief secretary, Georgi Kostov, said many of those hurt had burns injuries. An 18-year-old man had died of his wounds in hospital in nearby Shumen. |
| Two hundred fire crews were battling the flames and cooling the derailed tanks to avoid further blasts, while rescue teams searched for survivors in houses near the train lines. | Two hundred fire crews were battling the flames and cooling the derailed tanks to avoid further blasts, while rescue teams searched for survivors in houses near the train lines. |
| Stefan Stefanov, a Hitrino resident, said: “I helped take out six people under the ruins. Three were dead, three alive. There are no houses left standing near the incident – within 300 metres of the railway.” | Stefan Stefanov, a Hitrino resident, said: “I helped take out six people under the ruins. Three were dead, three alive. There are no houses left standing near the incident – within 300 metres of the railway.” |
| Prosecutors are investigating the incident. The head of the parliamentary commission, Nastimir Ananiev, said possible speeding or malfunctioning of the train tanks were among the most likely causes. | Prosecutors are investigating the incident. The head of the parliamentary commission, Nastimir Ananiev, said possible speeding or malfunctioning of the train tanks were among the most likely causes. |
| Bulgaria’s government is preparing to announce a day of national mourning. | Bulgaria’s government is preparing to announce a day of national mourning. |