Vratsa declares state of emergency, wind speed reaches 140 km/h

State of emergency was declared in Vratsa, North-western Bulgaria, due to hurricane winds. Wind gusts exceeded 140 kilometres per hour.

30 servicemen took part in the cleaning up of the damage caused by the violent wind in Vratsa, the Ministry of Defence said on January 19.

Shortly before noon, the passenger train from Vidin to Mezdra crashed into a fallen tree lying across the rail tracks. The accident happened in the area of Vratsa before the station.

A window of one of the carriages broke as a result of the collision, no passengers were injured. The tree has affected the overhead contact rail network and traffic on this line is temporarily suspended.

"A big rumble was heard on the locomotive, we managed to normalise the situation inside. A woman is in a slight panic because of the broken glass. There is damage to the locomotive," said Nikola Iliev, a conductor.

The passengers have been taken out of the train and will be transported by buses. Strong winds have destroyed the roofs of public and private buildings. People have not insured their properties and do not know how they will cope.

The damage is enormous and help will certainly be sought from the state.

"The damages are mainly on private and public buildings. Half of the city was left without street lights, there were power outages this morning is several villages. The situation in the city of Vratsa is critical. Today, servicemen from the military unit in Vratsa joined the work and are also helping in the clean-up," said Kalin Kamenov, mayor of Vratsa municipality.

The municipality again urges residents to stay in their homes and go out only if it is absolutely necessary.

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