• Monday, 23 December 2024

Spasovski: Bus crash kills 45 people including 12 children, injures seven

Spasovski: Bus crash kills 45 people including 12 children, injures seven
Skopje, 23 November 2021 (MIA) – According to initial information from Bulgaria’s investigating authorities, the bus that caught fire on the Struma highway on Tuesday carried 52 passengers of which 45 were killed, including 12 children, and seven were left injured, Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski told press conference on Tuesday evening. Asked about the age of the victims, Spasovski said a forensic report is expected from Sofia on Wednesday and only after the Government receives it, it would be able to give all details about the victims. Spasovski also confirmed that according to initial information available, there were two drivers in the bus of the Besa Trans carrier. As regards when the bodies of the victims will be transported to the country, the Interior Minister said the forensic analysis in Bulgaria must be completed first, as well as the process to identify the victims, and then the transport of the victims’ bodies to their families will be organized, at the expense of the state. Commenting on possible reasons for the accident, the Interior Minister pointed out it’s important to wait for the report from the investigative bodies and the crash site investigation. “I believe it’s absolutely not good in any aspect at this point to come out with information at the level of speculation. It won’t help us at all, but it will only harm the investigation,” said Spasovski. The investigation on the bus crash, he noted, is carried out by the Bulgarian investigating bodies as is the case in any country. He added that traffic police team as well as forensics have departed for Bulgaria, and are at disposal to assist their Bulgarian colleagues. Also in Bulgaria are Macedonian prosecutors to provide all necessary documents to assist the Bulgarian prosecutors, all of which to ensure swift exchange of information and data in the interest of the investigation.