Concerns regarding regional instability in the Middle East have prompted increased focus on civil defense infrastructure across Europe, including in Bulgaria. In response, the University Rescue Squad (URS), affiliated with the Bulgarian Youth Red Cross, released a detailed map outlining the locations of civil defense and fallout shelters nationwide to raise public awareness. According to fire service data, Bulgaria possesses 247 designated civil defense and fallout shelters.
While the network is substantial, only 18 are currently reported as immediately operational for their intended purposes; the remaining facilities are estimated to become functional within one week. Official maintenance is managed by designated personnel, and the fire service conducts mandatory inspections twice annually. In Sofia alone, the City Hall reported that ten of the city’s 92 shelters have undergone recent overhauls, with six more renovations underway and the remainder scheduled for repair within the next four years.
These shelters are frequently situated within schools and kindergartens. URS volunteer Radinel Pargov noted that while some privately owned shelters exist and are accessible to the public, they are not included in the official list as they fall outside the fire service’s direct management. While some settlements lack designated shelters, the capital offers massive capacity alternatives.
The Metro underground railway is cited as the largest facility, capable of accommodating over 900,000 people. Furthermore, the National Palace of Culture, underground garages, and tunnels can also be utilized as emergency shelter options within Bulgaria.
Topics: #bomb #shelters #bulgaria
