Bulgaria Marks 1 Year since Pernik 5.8 Quake

The handles of the city clock in Bulgaria's Pernik are frozen at the time when the first and strongest quake shook it on May 22, 2012. File photo by BGNES

Bulgaria marks Wednesday the first anniversary of the strongest earthquake in 100 years to shake the Sofia region.

The 5.8-6.0-magnitude earthquake hit at 3 am on May 22, and damaged homes in the western city of Pernik as well as in the capital Sofia. It was followed by a number of aftershocks persisting for months.

The quake rattled a large number of people sending them on the streets. Those living in high-rises spent several nights with relatives and friends residing in houses or on lower floors. The panic in Pernik was increased by rumors that the wall of the nearby dam has been broken.

Miraculously, there were no fatalities and serious injuries.

Damages in Pernik are yet to be fixed. They are estimated at BGN 25 M of which just 12 M has been paid. Despite the State aid and the charitable campaign, many locals still live in trailers because their homes were destroyed.

Below 50% of the State aid has been paid. The threshold for compensations has been set at BGN 10 000. Those having damages below BGN 1 000 are not eligible either.

People from Pernik have staged protest rallies and filed claims with the Supreme Court of Cassations.

A 7-meter-tall cross has been erected close to the epicenter, in the village of Divotino where every third house sustained damage, to protect it from disasters. The money for it has been donated by local people.

A liturgy will be served in Divotino Wednesday.

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