Bulgaria's picturesque southern coast, known for its serene beaches and stunning landscapes, has turned into a scene of devastation as deadly floods wreaked havoc in the region, leaving at least four people dead and a trail of destruction in their wake. As the communities grapple with the aftermath of this catastrophe, relief efforts are underway to assist those affected.
The floods, described as a "living nightmare" by locals, were triggered by overflowing rivers, which burst their banks and demolished several bridges, leading to severe traffic disruptions. Over 1,000 people were stranded during the worst of the flooding, but traffic has since been restored, thanks to the diligent efforts of emergency responders.
Zapren Filchev, a witness to the disaster, recounted the harrowing scenes, saying;
"There were a lot of scared people. There was a woman at the campsite with small children, and she said that in the caravan itself, the water was up to her waist and was holding them. They took them into our hotel because they had nowhere to go."
Dr. Petar Petrov, another eyewitness, added;
"All night in the restaurant we set up a recovery point - whoever could salvage what luggage, children, blankets, we were like a refugee camp."
In the southern resort town of Tsarevo, the situation was especially dire, with cars and camper vans swept out to sea, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency.
Many residents shared heartbreaking stories of losing everything they owned but expressed gratitude for their survival. One survivor poignantly remarked;
"If we were sleeping, we'd all be at sea. We were sitting in our bathing suits, in our underpants, naked. And now we're trying to save everything, documents, jobs. We have nothing. Mr. Nobody!"
In response to the disaster, Bulgaria's Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov has pledged financial aid for flood victims. He announced that individuals affected by the floods would receive financial assistance within two months.
"Up to 1,512 leva is given for damaged houses and premises, where people live. There is another amount - up to 2,500 leva for damaged appliances, amounting to a total of €2,500," he stated during a press briefing.
Additionally, the Bulgarian Red Cross has stepped in to provide much-needed aid to the victims.
"The evacuees have been accommodated in private hotels, and in small settlements like Kosti, the mayors have managed to provide logistics and support to the families in distress," said Violeta Radeva, the Head of the Bulgarian Red Cross.
The organization has also mobilized a team of professional psychologists to offer emotional support to those affected.
Tourism Minister Zaritsa Dinkova revealed that approximately 4,000 people were affected by the disaster along the entire southern stretch of Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. While the full extent of the damages is yet to be assessed, many anticipate that the costs will reach tens of millions of euros.
As Bulgaria's communities reel from the devastating floods, the combined efforts of government assistance and humanitarian organizations offer a glimmer of hope amid the challenging road to recovery.
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