Transport Minister Announces Urgent Rail Security Reforms Following Fatal Collision

Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov announced on Friday that he has commissioned two urgent reports to analyze gaps in Bulgaria's rail security system and safety procedures, CE Report quotes BTA

"There is a clear need for a comprehensive reform of the safety systems within the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) and the National Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC)," Karadzhov stated.

A meeting with representatives from the NRIC, BDZ, Executive Agency Railway Administration, and the National Transport Investigation Board is scheduled for January 20 to discuss measures to prevent future rail accidents.

Commenting on the recent collision of two freight trains near Sofia, which claimed two lives, Karadzhov emphasized the preliminary findings indicate non-compliance with safety procedures rather than technical failures. He stressed that a properly implemented security system could have averted the tragedy.

Earlier, the Transport Ministry confirmed the resignations of BDZ Cargo Ltd general manager Hristiyan Krastev and NRIC director general Stoyan Stoyanov. Their roles will be temporarily filled by Chavdar Trendafilov and Alexander Veckov, respectively, until permanent appointments are made.

Karadzhov affirmed that while personnel changes are secondary, his primary focus is establishing a system that ensures accident prevention.