Amid heightened regional tensions, the war in the Middle East has prompted increased scrutiny of civil defense infrastructure across Europe, including in Bulgaria. In response, the University Rescue Squad (URS), part of the Bulgarian Youth Red Cross, published a map detailing the location of civil defense and fallout shelters throughout the country. This initiative aims to enhance public awareness regarding these critical facilities.
According to fire service data, Bulgaria possesses 247 such shelters. However, only 18 are currently reported as fully operational for their intended purpose, though the remainder can be made functional within one week. Each facility is assigned an official caretaker responsible for maintenance, and the fire service conducts mandatory inspections twice annually.
In Sofia, City Hall reports that ten of the 92 local shelters have undergone overhauls in the past two years, with six more renovations underway and the remaining facilities slated for repair within four years. While many shelters are situated in schools and kindergartens, URS volunteer Radinel Pargov noted that some privately owned structures exist outside the official registry. Pargov also highlighted significant coverage gaps, noting that many settlements and parts of Sofia lack designated civil defense shelters.
For large-scale protection against a bomb threat, the Metro system in the capital, which can accommodate over 900,000 people, represents the largest capacity resource. Additionally, the National Palace of Culture and underground garages can serve similar functions.
Topics: #bomb #shelters #bulgaria
