BULGARIA’S PROSECUTION: SPEEDING IS THE CAUSE OF THE CARGO TRAIN BLAST IN HITRINO

The cargo train carrying gas tanks which derailed and exploded in the village of Hitrino on 10th of December entered the station at a speed of 78km/h, in a section where the speed limit was 40km/h, prosecutor’s office said on 19th of December. The movement of the train was assessed second by second. Entering the diversion, where the cargo train was supposed to wait for a passenger train, with that high speed, caused the derailing. One of the tanks unsealed, leading to leakage of gas into the air.

Experts have identified that there was a crater near a burning stove at the time of the crash in a house located close to the station. According to the experts, after the derailment, the one of the train tanks was depressurized and the gas leaked in the air. There was a strong wind and about two minutes later the ignition occurred from the fire in the stove and was followed by the explosion.

These are the experts' initial findings on the causes for the fire and the speed of the train. According to the prosecution, the cause of the derailment is high speed and the cause of the blast is accumulation of gas in the air near a burning stove. As a result, the prosecutors will bring charges against the two train drivers for causing death by negligence to 7 people and injuries to 26.

At present, the two train drivers are in the prosecutor's office in Shoumen. Both drivers were found in a psychiatric hospital. Psychiatric evaluation will be carried out.