Large-scale anti-terror training, which had been planned two months ago, began in the Bulgarian capital late on Tuesday.

The training was aimed at assessing the capacity of state institutions to react in the event of crisis situations.

Officials of the interior and defence ministries as well as other state bodies participated in the training, which also tested the level of coordination and exchange of information between the institutions.

The authorities had taken all necessary measures to ensure public order and the normal functioning of infrastructure in Sofia and highly appreciated the understanding demonstrated by citizens and apologised for any inconveniences caused.

The training began in the area of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) and continued at Konstantin Velichkov underground station on line 1 of the Sofia metro.

At an extraordinary briefing on Tuesday, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Rumyana Bachvarova said that the date of the training had been planned beforehand, but it coincided with the terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday.

Bachvarova added that Bulgarian authorities are continuously monitoring the latest developments in the Belgian capital and are in constant contact with partner security services.

She assured that at present there was no direct threat to the country, but all preventive measures outlined in the national anti-terrorism plan had been taken.

Security measures at main transport hubs across Bulgaria – airports, railway stations and ports, as well as at metro stations in Sofia have been stepped up. There is also heightened border control, with authorities conducting 100 % check.