A total of 10 casualties are receiving medical attention, following the collapse of an elevator at a Sofia maternity home on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident occurred at "Mother House" maternity home. It is assumed to have been caused by a defective supporting cable which snapped, causing the elevator to plunge several floors, before becoming wedged in the elevator shaft almost at basement level.

The emergency teams summoned to the scene succeeded in freeing the 12 occupants, none of whom were seriously injured. However, five persons were immediately taken to Pirogov Hospital for medical treatment. Another five, also with injuries, were transferred to the Military Medical Academy Hospital (MMA).

Relatives of the casualties said the elevator occupants were on their way to the delivery room, when the accident occurred. The elevator was descending from the seventh floor, but began free-falling from the fourth level.

The five patients being treated at Pirogov include one 33-year-old pregnant woman, a midwife (58 years) and two other ladies. The fifth person, a 27-year-old man, had been visiting his partner at the maternity home.

The casualties admitted to the MMA Emergency Clinic include four women at advanced stages of pregnancy. They have suffered a variety of injuries, including fractured legs and vertebrae, and severe bruising of the lower limbs.

MMA confirmed that there was no danger for the lives of either the mothers or the unborn babies.

The elevators at the maternity home were due for repair, with a written technical recommendation for their replacement. The "Mother House" maternity home has a budget of EUR 5 M for capital expenditure, but so far the fund has not been used.

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