Bulgaria Revises Bus Crash Toll Down To 44
Muhammad Irfan Published November 25, 2021 | 05:40 PM
Vienna, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Nov, 2021 ) :Bulgarian prosecutors said Thursday they had recovered 44 bodies from the site of a tour bus crash, revising down a death toll of 45 in one of Europe's worst accidents in a decade.
A bus full of mostly North Macedonia tourists crashed into highway guardrails and caught fire south of Sofia early Tuesday while returning from Istanbul in Turkey to Skopje.
The passengers were trapped inside the bus, but seven survived after they broke a window and escaped. They have all been hospitalised in Sofia and are in stable condition.
"Autopsies revealed that the victims died mainly as a result of asphyxiation from the fire that broke out... soot was found in their respiratory tracts," deputy prosecutor general Borislav Sarafov told reporters.
Border police records show that there were 52 passengers on board the bus when it entered Bulgaria.
Sarafov said 44 bodies were found at the site of the crash so investigators were still trying to account for one more person.
Four buses were travelling in the group and witnesses said the bus stopped at a gas station and some passengers transferred buses before the accident.
"We presume that one passenger must have moved to another bus," Sarafov said.
Prosecutors believe the bus driver crashed into the guardrails, and the detached guardrail was then dragged on along the asphalt, causing a ball of sparks that ignited the bus.
But they are still probing if "bad road organisation, bad signalisation and bad markings" might have misled the driver, Sarafov added.
The prosecution has ruled out that a terrorist act or an explosion caused the fire, he said.
The crash is Bulgaria's deadliest, and the worst road accident in Europe in a decade, plunging the country and its southern neighbour into mourning.
Most of the young victims were from North Macedonia. They include a dozen minors with the youngest fatality four-year-old twins, according to media reports.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
2 hours ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
1 day ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
2 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
2 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
3 days ago
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
4 days ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
8 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
9 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
14 days ago