GAS LEAK IN NIKOLAEVO PROMPTED EVACUATION OF RESIDENTS

The residents of the town of Nikolaevo, in the South Bulgarian district of Stara Zagora were evacuated on 17th of August after a gas leak from a tanker near the railway station of the town.

The incident occurred about 2:30 am when huge amounts of gas leaked from a pipe which connected the four storage tanks, owned by a company in Sofia.

Because gas is heavier than air and settles near the ground, there was a risk of explosion. Electricity supply, railway transport and road traffic in the region were temporarily stopped.

Currently, the situation in the town is calm and there is no risk for the residents. The regional environment inspections took measurement to check the air quality. No pollution and no risk for the health of the people were identified.

The reasons for the massive gas leak are being clarified The police is looking into two versions: human error and technical problem.

The residents say they will start a petition and present it to the mayor to insist the gas storage tanks be removed from the place because they are too close to their homes.