Bulgarian Village Struggles with Lack of Road as Resident Dies Due to Delayed Ambulance
-
Loading... - Adrien Gauthier
- 06 Feb 2025
- 49 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
A tragic incident in the Bulgarian village of Breze has highlighted the dire consequences of inadequate infrastructure, as a resident lost his life due to a fatal delay in receiving medical attention. The man, who suffered a heart attack, was initially attended to by medics who arrived promptly; however, the ambulance was unable to reach him in time due to impassable roads. Local residents were called upon to carry him to the ambulance, which further delayed the response by approximately an hour. Unfortunately, the man’s condition deteriorated during this time, and he was declared dead shortly after the ambulance departed.
Irina Kochovska, the mayor of Breze, confirmed that the village has been grappling with the lack of a proper road for the past 15 years. Despite numerous reports submitted to the Municipality of Devin, no significant progress has been made. Last summer, the village organized a protest that resulted in a promise for road construction, with 31,000 leva allocated for the project. Although a contractor was selected, construction has been delayed, with officials now stating that work will commence after the winter season.
The absence of functional infrastructure has not only impacted emergency medical services but has also affected daily life in the village. Mayor Kochovska noted that three streets remain completely inaccessible, and this is not the first incident of its kind. She expressed concerns that the situation could worsen during the winter months, complicating access to the village cemetery. In a previous case, following the death of an elderly woman, her body had to be stored in a refrigerator in Smolyan until weather conditions allowed access to the cemetery. A local villager has been providing a charitable service by transporting the deceased in his own truck, as no other means of transport are available.
Adding to the village's challenges, a recent fire near the home of the deceased man destroyed three barns. Although the fire department responded quickly, the area was inaccessible, and only the presence of a nearby fire hydrant prevented further damage.
In light of these ongoing issues, Mayor Kochovska, in her first term, has sent petitions to various authorities, including the Regional Governor of Smolyan, the President, the Ombudsman, and even European institutions, in hopes of drawing attention to the critical infrastructure problems facing Breze. The tragic loss of a resident has underscored the urgent need for improvements to the village's roadways and overall accessibility.
