Removal of 'Most Dangerous' Gas Tanks Goes on in Bulgaria's Hitrino

Hitrino's municipality building was one of the dozens damaged by the blast on Saturday. Photo: Interior Ministry

The two "most dangerous" gas tanks among the dozen that derailed in the village of Hitrino earlier in December are yet to be defueled and and erected, Bulgaria's outgoing Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova has said.

Of four remaining tanks at the site of the blast, two have been prepared for removal, Focus News Agency quotes her as saying.

Operations to defuel the two tanks will follow, and it will only be after all cylinders are out of the village that authorities will have a timetable for allowing residents back into Hitrino, she has made it clear.

Seven people died and twenty-nine were injured after twelve gas tanks carrying propylene and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) on a cargo train derailed as the train was crossing Hitrino, one of them exploding. Evacuation of all inhabitants (whose number the last census put at 800) followed as gas was steaming out of some cylinders and authorities insisted on minimizing the risk for locals.

Prosectors are to finish their on-site investigation on Monday and will continue their work in the area where the cylinders were taken after being removed from the village.

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