Pyasychevo, Bulgaria — A freight train carrying diesel fuel derailed and caught fire early Friday morning near the Bulgarian village of Pyasychevo, close to Simeonovgrad.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 05:04 a.m., involved several overturned tank cars that burst into flames, sending plumes of thick black smoke into the air.
The train, operated by a private licensed company, was traveling toward Galabovo with more than 30 tank cars loaded with diesel.
According to the fire service, eight tankers ignited following the derailment, with the highly flammable cargo fueling intense flames that posed a challenge to containment efforts.
Firefighting units from the surrounding region were quickly dispatched, with crews working under dangerous conditions to prevent the fire from spreading.
Chief Commissioner Alexander Dzhartov, head of Bulgaria’s fire service, said that although the blaze was severe, there was no immediate danger to nearby settlements.
“Extinguishing such a fire is extremely complex due to the heat generated by burning diesel and the need for large amounts of water and foaming agents,” Dzhartov explained.
Firefighters focused their efforts on isolating the burning wagons while cooling the remaining tank cars to prevent further explosions.
By shortly before 08:00 a.m., the fire was largely under control. Teams on site reported significant progress in suppressing the flames, and operations began to separate unaffected wagons from the damaged section of the train.
Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov, who traveled to the accident site, confirmed that a diesel locomotive was approaching from the north to pull away the intact tankers once conditions were deemed safe.
“The most important thing is that we have no casualties,” Karadjov stated, adding that the firefighting teams had acted swiftly to contain the situation.
Members of the train crew were visibly shaken by the incident. According to the drivers, they felt the train “tearing apart” moments before the derailment, suggesting a sudden mechanical or track-related failure.
The cause of the accident is currently under investigation by the Ministry of Transport’s railway accident unit, supported by police teams. Initial findings are expected later today.
While no evacuation orders were issued, authorities advised residents in the vicinity to remain alert and avoid the area until cleanup and recovery operations are complete.
The environmental impact of the diesel spill is also being assessed, though officials stressed that the immediate priority is securing the site.
Rail accidents involving hazardous cargo remain a rare but high-risk occurrence in Bulgaria’s transport sector.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns over railway infrastructure, maintenance standards, and the need for stringent safety protocols when transporting dangerous goods.
As firefighters continued their work throughout the morning, the scene near Pyasychevo remained under heavy security, with access restricted to emergency personnel.
Once the fire is fully extinguished and the site secured, the derailed wagons will be moved for further technical examination.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members