Bulgaria to Recultivate Sole Dangerous Beach

A sign saying the beach is forbidden for use at Vromos. Photo by dnesplus.bg

Regional authorities in Burgas are embarking on a recultivation campaign for the Vromos beach on the southern Black Sea coast, which has been closed due to excessive radiation.

Vromos, located just north-west of the town of Chernomoretz, some 13 km south of Burgas, was confirmed over the summer of 2010 to emit radiation 2 times as high as the norm for the region.

The danger comes from the sand, which was found to contain uranium and radium coming from the now-closed nearby mine which deposited large amounts of radioactive waste in the bay between 1954 and 1977.

The experts further point out the sea water is not radioactive, but a couple of days' stay at the beach could be harmful.

The increase of radiation levels in the area over the last three years is attributed to some waste that has not been completely removed.

Saturday Burgas Region governor Konstantin Grebenarov announced that a recultivation procedure is under review at the Ministry of Environment.

The sand in the Vromos bay has to be cleaned from the radioactive substances it contains.

The beach is set to stay closed down for the summer season of 2011.

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