Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

The workgroup sent by the Minister of Transport Aleksandar Tsvetkov, which participated in the investigation of the sunken ship "Ilinden" came back late at the evening yesterday.  

The Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications Aleksandar Tsvetkov and the Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kamen Sitnilski reach an agreement with the Macedonian authorities the whole available information to be given to the Bulgarian investigating bodies. Examined and analyzed are ten basic documents, including the necessary data with decisions of the court, regarding the ownership of the vessel, as well as certificates for the technical condition and the insurance policies of the passengers and the ship.       

MTITC experts have a great experience in investigation of transport accidents. They have been invited together with their Croatian colleagues to participate in the process of clarifying the facts and circumstances of the tragic accident. The Bulgarian authorities cooperate fully with the Macedonian authorities.

After a joint decision a professional Croatian company has been hired to remove the vessel from the water. Representatives of the company will arrive today in Ohrid with equipment and machinery. They will carry out the third underwater examination and then a final decision will be taken on how to remove the sunken vessel from the water. The representatives of MTITC will be promptly notified about the final action and will take part in the operation.

 For additional information:
Vera Deianova, Press Centre,
Ministry of Transport, Information Technology
and Communications
Phone: 940 95 34
E-Mail: vdeianova@mtitc.government.bg