A tragic traffic accident at the junction for the village of Malomirovo near Elhovo claimed the life of Captain Nikolay Ivanov Iliev, the Ministry of Defense reported. The incident occurred today around 4:50 PM on the main road Elhovo - Burgas, when a military UAZ vehicle collided with a car.
Captain Iliev, who was a platoon commander and had served in the Bulgarian Army since January 23, 1995, died during transportation to the MBAL - Yambol. The second serviceman in the vehicle, Senior Sergeant Georgi Dimitrov Georgiev, was admitted for treatment at the same hospital with serious injuries.
The Ministry of Defense expressed deep condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased Captain Iliev. The incident is another reminder of the dangers that military personnel face even when performing routine duties.
According to initial information from the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, a total of three people were injured in the incident. Traffic in the area was temporarily restricted to carry out the necessary procedural and investigative actions.
Law enforcement authorities are conducting an investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the accident. It is important to note that the alcohol and drug tests of the military vehicle driver came back negative, which rules out the use of intoxicating substances as a cause of the incident.
This tragic case raises questions about the safety of military vehicles and the need for additional measures to protect servicemen in the performance of their duties. The Ministry of Defense is expected to conduct an internal investigation to determine whether all safety protocols were followed.
The incident highlights the risks faced by military personnel even in peacetime and reminds us of the importance of their service to the country. As the investigation continues, military leadership will likely review safety procedures for personnel transportation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.