RAZGRAD/STARA ZAGORA — June 28, 2025 — Train services on one of Bulgaria’s key railway routes were suspended on Saturday morning following significant damage to the contact network along a stretch of the ninth main railway line between Razgrad and Samuil.
According to the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ), approximately 450 meters of the contact infrastructure was affected, forcing authorities to halt train operations on the impacted section.
The disruption has led to a temporary suspension of passenger train movement between the stations of Prostorno and Samuil, with replacement bus transport deployed to maintain connectivity for affected passengers.
The following services have been directly impacted:
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Passenger Train No. 90100 operating from Kaspichan to Ruse,
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Passenger Train No. 90101 from Ruse Distribution to Kaspichan, and
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Fast Train No. 9620, traveling from Varna to Ruse.
The damage was discovered in the early hours of the morning, prompting immediate safety precautions and the activation of contingency measures.
Crews from the National Rail Infrastructure Company (NRIC) were dispatched to the site and have been working intensively to restore the functionality of the overhead electrical lines. Restoration of train services is anticipated by 5 p.m. today, pending successful repairs and safety inspections.
“Specialized teams are already on-site conducting emergency repairs. We understand the inconvenience to passengers and are doing everything possible to minimize delays and restore service,” a spokesperson for NRIC stated in a press release.
This morning’s disruption caused delays and confusion for early commuters, with some passengers expressing frustration at the lack of immediate information regarding alternative transportation. However, rail officials assured the public that safety remained the top priority.
In a separate incident occurring near the city of Stara Zagora, a locomotive caught fire during routine tests of its braking system. The locomotive, which was not attached to any wagons at the time, ignited while being checked at a railway facility.
Train drivers present during the test quickly noticed smoke and flames emerging from the engine compartment and immediately alerted emergency services. Firefighters from the Stara Zagora regional fire department responded rapidly and were able to extinguish the blaze before it could spread or cause further damage.
No injuries were reported, and the fire was contained within a short timeframe. However, the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Technical teams have been tasked with inspecting the locomotive to determine the source of the ignition, which preliminary reports suggest may have been related to a malfunction in the braking system’s heating elements.
Both incidents come amid heightened scrutiny of Bulgaria’s railway infrastructure, with calls for increased investment in safety upgrades and modernization of the country’s aging rail assets.
Authorities have assured the public that there is no connection between the two incidents and that passenger safety remains uncompromised. Regular updates on the repair progress and resumption of train services are expected to be provided by BDZ later today.