An empty tank container has washed up in Silistar bay, south of Sinemorets. It is the second shipping container to come ashore on Bulgaria's southern Black Sea coast, Burgas regional governor Diko Dikov told BNT. The first is stuck on the rocks near Lozenets, between the Oasis and Arapya campsites.
The tank was first seen at sea near Varvara and Ahtopol. The sea then pushed it ashore at Silistar.
How the story began: Empty tank container floats 2 km off the coast of Ahtopol
On Sunday, five floating containers in all were seen east of Burgas bay. Officials say they most likely came from the container ship that sank off Varna. The military prosecutor's office has opened pre-trial proceedings and is leading the investigation.
Officials began an urgent check near Lozenets yesterday. Overnight, a specialist team secured the container so the rough sea would not carry it away. The area is cordoned off and guarded around the clock.
Dikov said the situation has not changed much since the previous evening. He said officials did everything they needed to yesterday, thanks to good organisation and co-ordination between them.
"It is quite heavy, it is not open, we still do not know what is inside," the governor told BNT about the container near Lozenets.
The container is due to be pulled into the water today. Dikov said navy specialists will probably be needed, because the container cannot be removed from this spot without them. Officials must also seize physical evidence under the Criminal Procedure Code. Plans for this will be made today.
Border police are guarding the tank container at Silistar, and the area around it is cordoned off. Dikov assured residents of the municipality that there is no danger of contamination of the sea and the coast.
Officials have yet to start work on the tank container. They also have yet to find out what is inside the container near Lozenets and how the two containers reached the southern coast.