Floods and snowstorms hit Bulgaria: 3 dead, hundreds stranded in the West
On October 3, 2025, Bulgaria was struck by severe weather, with heavy rainfall causing devastating floods in the east and intense snowfall trapping hundreds in the mountainous western regions. At least three people lost their lives as a result of the extreme conditions.
In the eastern part of the country, torrential rains led to deadly flash floods in the popular seaside tourist area of Elenite, located on the southern Black Sea coast. Authorities confirmed that three men died in the floods. One was caught off guard by rapidly rising waters while at work, another—a construction vehicle operator—was swept away while helping with road clearing efforts, and the third victim was identified as a border police officer.
States of emergency were declared in several municipalities across the Burgas, Montana, and Pernik regions. Flooding submerged homes and vehicles in Elenite, Tsarevo, Primorsko, Sozopol, and other southern coastal towns, with water levels exceeding one meter in some neighborhoods. In Tsarevo, an extreme amount of rain—up to 410 liters per square meter—was recorded in just 12 hours. The area experienced widespread disruptions, including power outages, road closures, school cancellations, and emergency evacuations.
In the western mountainous regions, snowfall created chaos in areas like the Vitosha and Petrohan mountain passes. Snow accumulation reached 20–30 centimeters in places, rendering roads impassable and leaving many vehicles stranded. Near Sofia, fallen trees blocked highways, trapping drivers for hours. The Montana region also reported widespread power outages in numerous villages and towns due to the snowstorm.
The severe weather also caused traffic accidents and major disruptions to railway services across the country. A deadly collision between a minibus and a truck occurred at the Kresna pass, resulting in the death of one woman and injuries to eight others.
Experts highlighted that the flooding wasn’t solely caused by the intensity of the natural event, but also by long-standing issues such as poor infrastructure, unregulated construction along riverbeds, and inadequate maintenance and flood prevention measures. Local residents criticized the authorities for being unprepared, arguing that officials failed to act despite accurate weather forecasts, worsening the impact of the disaster.
Authorities have warned that the adverse weather conditions are expected to continue and urged citizens to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
