печатна медия

Title: Miracle Survival: Teenager Fights for Life After Pine Branch Impales Him

In a harrowing turn of events, a 19-year-old Bulgarian teen, Mount Vitosha“>Kaloyan Pavlov, is battling for his life after a pine branch impaled him following a snowfall on Mount Vitosha. The near-fatal incident was captured on a dashboard camera and widely shared on social media.

On Christmas Eve, Kaloyan and his friends were returning from a hiking trip in the mountains when a heavy pine branch, laden with snow, snapped and fell onto their car. The branch pierced through the automobile’s windshield, striking Kaloyan in the upper torso.

The teenager was rushed to Pirogov Emergency Hospital in critical condition. After days of uncertainty, Kaloyan was finally taken off a medically induced coma this morning, his parents confirmed to BTV.

"The fact that my son is alive is a miracle. A few millimeters difference and it would have been fatal," Kaloyan’s father, Petar Pavlov, told BTV, fighting back tears. "We owe the doctors everything. It’s a miracle, a testament to their skill."

However, the incident has raised questions about maintenance and safety measures in the area. Petar Pavlov expressed his concerns, stating, "These issues have been happening for years. Why weren’t the branches trimmed? Someone should be held accountable."

In response, Sofia Municipality explained that snow removal and road maintenance are handled by the municipal inspectors, while the upkeep of trees and pruning in the region is the responsibility of Vitosha Nature Park. The park’s management, a branch of the State Forestry Company – Sofia, stated that they had undertaken precautions before the winter season, removing overhanging branches and trees that posed an obstacle to public transport along the roadways. They also mentioned that emergency crews had removed several fallen trees and branches throughout the day.

Sofia Municipality further clarified that they have a contract for winter and summer maintenance services on Vitosha’s roads, covering two main routes from the Boiana Quarter to Zlatni Mostove and Dragalevci Quarter to Aleko. The contract does not, however, include services for waste collection, maintenance, and cleaning around the park’s chalets.

Despite these measures, questions about the adequacy of preventative maintenance remain. As Kaloyan continues his fight for life, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety and preventive measures, especially in areas prone to harsh weather conditions and heavy foot and vehicle traffic.

Iva Sofiyaniska-Bojkova Celebrates Father and Son on Stefanovden

In a heartwarming Facebook post, Iva Sofiyaniska-Bojkova, daughter of former Sofia mayor Stefan Sofiyaniski, expressed her warm regards to her father and son as they celebrated Stefanovden, a day that holds dual significance as her son’s namesake.

"Happy holiday to my little boy and to my grown-up boy," Iva wrote, accompanied by a cherished snapshot of the duo. "Be in good health and don’t give me a hard time, please," she added with a touch of light-hearted humor.

Married to Anton Bojkov, son of Vasil Bojkov, the couple has three children together: Maya, Vasil, and the youngest, Stefan. The little Stefan was welcomed into the world last year at "Mama Clinic" in Sofia, swelling the ranks of the Sofiyaniski family to five grandchildren.

Headline: Bulgaria‘s Court Keeps Fuel Smuggling Suspects Free on 25,000 Lev Bail Each

In a stark revelation, a Bulgarian court has maintained a 25,000 lev (approximately 12,800 EUR) bail each for two suspects, Boris Ivanov and Yordaki Terziev, accused of a decade-long fuel smuggling scheme worth over 9.5 million levs (around 4.8 million EUR) to the Bulgarian budget. Ivanov, the transport provider, and Terziev, a former boss of the Petroleum and Gaz Association, have been freed by thePlovdiv District Court despite prosecutors’ appeal for higher bail.

The elaborate scheme, exposed last July, involved Ivanov’s company trucking fuel from Terziev’s tax-free warehouse but never delivering it to the U.S. military base at Novo Selo polygon. The fuel was intended for American forces stationed in Bulgaria, granted dispensation from VAT and excise duties under a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Bulgaria.

Terziev, who has traded fuels for 30 years and claimed familiarity with the industry’s challenges, initially didn’t suspect foul play. He only raised doubts in late 2024 when customs officials halted one of Ivanov’s tankers mid-transfer, hinting that the fuel wasn’t reaching Novo Selo. Upon inquiries with the U.S. Embassy and Bulgaria’s chief prosecutor, Terziev realized he was entangled in a deception orchestrated by Ivanov and a third party, Stanislav Moralov, who’d initially contracted Terziev for fuel supplies.

While appealing the court’s decision, prosecutors argue that the defendants pose a flight risk, given their substantial resources. The defense, however, maintains that the suspects are not attempting to evade justice. The Plovdiv Appellate Court has sent the case back to the initial court for further deliberation, while the suspects remain free on bail.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to monitor this evolving story.

Headline: Massive Smoke Cloud Panics Varna Residents; Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Blaze at Autoservice

In a scene that sent residents into a frenzy, a colossal cloud of smoke billowed in the air for minutes before dawn in the coastal city of Varna. While the cause of the smoke is yet to be determined, it turns out a fire at an autoservice was the source of the panic.

Early this morning, old tires caught fire at an autoservice, generating thick, black smoke that engulfed the area. The intense smoke stirred fear among local residents, prompting the immediate response of on-duty firefighters from the Varna Fire Department. Luckily, no injuries were reported, and the fire was swiftly contained, according to officials from the Varna Police Press Center.

Material damages were recorded, while the investigation into the fire’s cause continues. Authorities have not yet confirmed any potential reasons for the blaze. As the official report from the Police Press Center reads, the incident was brought under control, with no reported injuries, and the public was assured of no imminent danger.

While this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards associated with improper waste disposal, it also highlights the swift and effective response from the local firefighters, who were able to control the situation and prevent any casualties. As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, we hope that this incident will serve as a cautionary tale for waste management in the region.

Headline: Bulgarian DEMOS Coalition Lawmakers Elena Yoncheva and Tanner Kabilov Resign from Renew Europe Group in European Parliament

Euro-deputies Elena Yoncheva and Tanner Kabilov of the DEMOS-led coalition have announced their resignation from the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament. This was revealed in an official letter sent to Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the leadership and members of Renew Europe, reported Nova TV.

In a statement on the social media platform "X", Yoncheva confirmed the decision, saying, "After long discussions with my colleague Tanner Kabilov and the leadership of DPS, we have decided to leave the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament."

The two lawmakers, representing the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) in Bulgaria, cited decisions made at the party’s National Conference held on December 22, 2024, in Sofia, which outlined their strategic objectives and principles, as the reason for their resignation.

Yoncheva and Kabilov notified Metsola and Renew Europe that, "In accordance with the Declaration and decisions made by the supreme body of DPS, we are terminating our membership in the Renew Europe Group as Euro-deputies representing DPS."

This move signals a significant shift in the political landscape within the European Parliament and is expected to have implications for the Renew Europe group and Bulgarian politics as a whole.

Road Crash: Route Between Ruse and Byala Closed After Snowplow Collision

In an unfortunate incident, the road connecting Ruse and Byala has been temporarily closed, Nova TV reports. The closure comes after a Turkish shooting range’s target struck a snowplow, leading to a traffic obstruction.

The crash resulted in one minor injury, with a person sustaining light bruises. They were promptly transported to Ruse Hospital for examination by the on-scene emergency medical team. Dr. Ivanka Marinova, director of the Center for Emergency Medical Services in the Danube town, confirmed the details.

Drivers are advised to use alternative routes until further notice. More updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.

Title: Chaos on Bulgaria’s Vitosa: Access Roads Uncleared, Skier’s Stranded on Opening Day

In a disappointing start to the ski season, scores of eager skiers found themselves stranded today, unable to reach Bulgaria’s popular Vitosa ski resort due to unplowed access roads. The only two routes to the mountain were reportedly not cleared, causing significant chaos and ensuring that many avid skiers missed the much-anticipated opening day.

Traffic towards the "Aleko" hut, the primary route from the town of Dragalevtsi, stretched for kilometers, with police forced to turn back vehicles, as reported by the Bulgarian National Television (BNT). The alternate route via "Zlatni Mostove" was also impassable, despite assurances from Sofia Municipality earlier in the day that both paths were treated and navigable under winter conditions.

It appears that heavy snowfall following the municipality’s clearance efforts rendered the roads inaccessible once again. This unexpected obstacle has left many skiers, who had anticipated celebrating the start of the ski season on Vitosa, sorely disappointed.

While Vitosa’s snow-capped peaks beckon, the frustrating reality for many today was the inability to reach them. As the ski season officially kicks off, all eyes are on the authorities to ensure that access roads are promptly and effectively maintained, ensuring that skiers can safely enjoy everything Vitosa has to offer.