2 Buried under Crumbled Bulgaria Capital Historic Site

Two people were buried Thursday in Sofia when a building in the so-called “Sugar Factory” complex collapsed.

The incident happened after two Roma men entered the building to look for scrap, according to a Darik radio report.

The Civil Defense informs that rescue teams, including experts from the Bulgarian Red Cross and a canine unit, have been immediately dispatched to the location upon receiving the signal. One of the men has been found dead while the search for the second one is continuing.

The complex of the old sugar manufacturing factory in Sofia is declared a historic site and has been left unattended and crumbling for some time. Hours after the incident, the Culture Ministry notified the Prosecutor's office about the poor management on the part of the building's owners. The Ministry's press center further informs they will do a probe of the way the owners have been preserving the site and violations will be penalized to the full extent of the law.

The Sofia City Hall lists the “TBI Real Estate” company as owner of the building. The Construction Control Directorate has issued an order to them to secure the crumbling site. The Head of the Directorate is quoted as saying that the company began construction works, but later halted them for unknown reasons, adding the owner will be issued a penalty and a fine for not fulfilling the City Hall's orders.

The former owner “Sofia Mel” also received numerous notices to secure the building, which they, too, failed to fulfill, leading to the tenants leaving the premises, including the Bulgarian National television (BNT), which used to keep its archives there. The property has been sold to “TBI Real Estate” only a few months ago.