Amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in the Middle East, awareness regarding civil defense infrastructure has increased across Europe, prompting action in Bulgaria. The University Rescue Squad (URS), affiliated with the Bulgarian Youth Red Cross, published a map detailing the nation’s civil defense and fallout shelters to inform the public of their locations. According to fire service data, Bulgaria possesses 247 such shelters.
While the system is established, only 18 are reported as immediately ready for use; the remaining facilities can be made functional within one week. Oversight is managed by designated officials responsible for maintenance, and the fire service conducts biannual inspections. In Sofia alone, City Hall reported that ten of the 92 local shelters underwent overhauls in the last two years, with six more beginning renovations and the remainder scheduled for repair within four years.
Many of these shelters are situated within schools and kindergartens. URS volunteer Radinel Pargov noted that some publicly known shelters operate privately and are not under the direct charge of the fire service. Despite the existing infrastructure, Pargov pointed out that numerous settlements and certain areas of Sofia lack designated civil defense shelters.
For large-scale protection, the underground Metro system represents the largest capacity, capable of accommodating over 900,000 people. Additionally, the National Palace of Culture, underground garages, and tunnels can serve similar purposes, providing alternative refuge options across Bulgaria.
Topics: #bomb #shelters #bulgaria
