Bulgaria’s government has pledged to improve the working environment in mines in the wake of a tragic rockfall in a coal mine in the southwestern part of the country, that left two miners dead.

“This was one tough sitting of the Council of Ministers. We grieve over the loss of the miners,” Daniela Bobeva, Deputy Prime Minister, said on Wednesday in the aftermath of the tragic Oronavo coal mine accident that left two miners dead.

Bobeva informed that most of the Wednesday’s sitting of the Council of Ministers was dedicated to the adoption of tougher measures to provide for workers’ safety and inspections of the mines in Bulgaria.

She explained that inspections will be carried out and based on their results further actions will be taken.

“Since 2008, the chief labor inspectorate has conducted 31 inspections on whether Oranovo coal mine observes the labor legislation. 163 violations have been established, 124 of which concern health and labor safety. Oranovo coal mine is subject to standard checks four times a year,” Bobeva said, adding that every mine is regularly monitored whether it complies with the requirements for safe and healthy working environment.

Svetlana Dyankova, Deputy Social Minister, confirmed that the relatives of the dead miners will receive compensations amounting to BGN 10 000, while the country will cover the expenses of their funerals.

The grieving families will also receive two one-off financial aid of BGN 325 and BGN 540.

The people injured in the mining accident, whose number remains unknown, will also receive financial aid.

Svetlana Dyankova singed out three potential causes for the accident: human error, unsafe working environment and natural factors, which could not have been foreseen.

The July 16 rockfall in Oranovo coal mine was the fourth tragic incident at the mine for the past eight years.

In an interview for the Bulgarian National Television, Dragomir Stoynev, Minister of Economy and Energy, said that the authorities would investigate the Oranovo accident and hold people liable for it only after the miners were taken out.

The minister has ordered an inspection of the concession agreement for the exploitation of the mine on suspicion of irregularities.

Stoynev suggested that the results of the inspection were to be published by the end of the week.

He said that it was necessary to examine all mining concessions in the country, adding that the working conditions in the sector required special attentions.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!