BULGARIA’S CHIEF PROSECUTOR: SPEEDING IS THE LEADING SUSPECTED CAUSE OF THE CARGO TRAIN BLAST IN HITRINO

According to the investigation in the cargo train blast in Hirtino village, one of the possible causes is that the train went beyond the speed limits, Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor Sotir Tsatsarov said on 13th of December.

The train arrived 15 minutes earlier than scheduled, he said.

He added that other possible reasons for the incident are also being investigated. An on-site inspection is taking place. 31 witnesses were interviewed. All relevant video and photo materials have been seized.

Tsatsarov said that the investigation is looking into all suspected causes. He said that at this stage it was ruled out that the incident was caused deliberately. According to the investigation, speeding remains the leading suspected cause of the incident.

Seven people died and 29 were injured by an explosion of a derailed cargo train carrying tanks of polypropylene and propane-butane in the village of Hitrino, North-East Bulgaria on 10th of December. The explosion also destroyed 26 houses and public buildings, including the municipal office and the Hitrino railway station building.