The European Commission Representation in Bulgaria expressed official gratitude to the foreign rescue teams helping to control the critical fire situation in the country. In an emotional Facebook post, special words of appreciation were directed to the national fire services of Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, France, and Hungary.
After activating the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, significant air resources were mobilized. Three helicopters from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and France, as well as two aircraft from the Swedish Fire Service, formed the international air flotilla. Additionally, Romania and Hungary sent two additional helicopters for support.
The EU Emergency Response Coordination Center dispatched a special expert to assist operational management and ensure effective communication between international and national rescue teams.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Toni Todorov announced that around 11:30, two Swedish aircraft will land at Plovdiv Airport. Their main goal is to help extinguish fires in the Strumyani area, which is currently considered the most critical point in the country.
This international gesture of solidarity demonstrates the effectiveness of European mutual assistance mechanisms during natural disasters and emphasizes the importance of rapid and coordinated response.