Partial state of emergency declared in Vratsa due to severe winds

A state of emergency has been declared in the Vratsa municipality as the city has been hit by hurricane-force winds for several hours, with gusts exceeding 110 km/h, the municipal authorities announced.

Residents have been urged to stay indoors until the severe weather subsides and remove any dangerous objects from balconies and window ledges. Emergency crews are inspecting the city, clearing fallen trees and branches and securing affected areas.

Strong winds are also affecting Sofia, where the municipality has closed the roads leading to Vitosha Mountain. So far, authorities have received 120 reports of fallen trees, 15 reports of collapsed fence panels and three reports of damaged traffic lights. In the Manastirski Livadi-East district, three cars were hit by rubbish bins overturned by the wind. In the Borovo district, a tree fell onto a moving car, but no one was injured, BGNES reported.

Residents are advised to avoid standing or walking beneath trees and near construction fences, scaffolding and unstable structures. Parking under trees or next to old and unstable buildings should also be avoided. The Sofia Municipality has urged people to limit unnecessary outdoor travel and avoid visiting Vitosha Nature Park due to the risk of falling trees and branches.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov