Bulgaria Declares National Mourning for Miners' Deaths

The Oranovo coal mine is located 2 km away from the town of Simitli in southwestern Bulgaria. Photo by BGNES

The Bulgarian government has declared Monday, August 5, a day of national mourning for the four miners who were killed by a collapse in the Oranovo coal mine in south-western Bulgaria.

The bodies of two missing miners were found Friday, after a difficult 18-day search operation.

Miners Ivan Lazarov, 35, and Nikolay Mihaylov, 42, were trapped 450 meters below the surface underneath an avalanche of mud, rocks and water.

Two other miners, Asen Stoynev, 41, and Hristo Mladenov, 45, died in the collapse as well, but their bodies were discovered on the very same day.

A three day mourning has been declared in the town of Simitli, Blagoevgrad region, near which the Oranovo mine is located.

Bulgaria's cabinet and president have vowed to fully investigate the tragic incident and bring everybody responsible to justice.

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