Bulgaria-Greece Road to Remain Closed for 10 Days

The international road running from Sofia to Kulata and Thessaloniki in Greece collapsed due to a landslide caused by the rising of the Struma River. Photo by BGNES

The major road in southwestern Bulgaria, and main connection to neighboring Greece, E-79, will remain closed for traffic for at least 10-12 days, the Blagoevgrad Regional Governor, Valeri Smilenov, informs.

This is, however, a more optimistic forecast, compared to those from Sunday, when it was announced a section of the E-79 international road, running from Bulgaria's Sofia to Kulata and Thessaloniki in Greece, may remain impassable for a whole month following a landslide, caused by the rising of the Struma River after torrential rains.

Smilenov points out about 25 000 to 35 000 cubic meters of land soil will be needed for the repairs which makes it impossible to carry them out in less than 10 days.

On Monday, the mayors of the affected municipalities are submitting to the Regional Governor updated reports on the situation in order to analyze the crisis.

The fate and the whereabouts of the truck driver who disappeared with no trace into the raging Struma River remain unknown.

The situation is critical; the waters are running fast and very deep – 10 meters and more. Divers are on standby, ready to begin a rescue operation for the driver, but it is still unclear if they will be able to enter the river Monday, according to the Governor.

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