Inspections for Illegal Construction along the Black Sea Coast

Thorough inspections for illegal construction in ravines and riverbeds are starting along the entire Black Sea coast, announced the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works to the gathered media in the Albena sea resort. Inspections will also be carried out in the interior of the country if signals of such violations are received.

The government official emphasized the importance of these inspections, which come against the backdrop of increased attention to environmental protection and the legality of construction activities. The Minister explained that data has been requested from the Basin Directorates and the Regional Inspectorates of Environment and Water (RIOSV) to determine where riverbeds are located along the Black Sea coast. This information will be compared with the data from the cadastre to determine if there is construction in violation of the law.

In the event of the establishment of illegal construction, the Minister assured that all necessary measures will be taken in accordance with the law against the violators.

The Minister also announced that the Regional Directorate for National Construction Control - Burgas, has issued an act for establishing illegal construction in Elenite. The act is to be announced to the interested parties, after which an order will be issued to demolish the illegally built structures. This concerns the correction of the riverbed, as well as the aquapark.

Media representatives note that the Minister personally visited Elenite and described what he saw as an apocalyptic picture. The holiday village was affected by floods in early October.

"If this had happened during the active season, there would have been at least 400 victims," the Minister emphasized. He added that the state is in its place and will be uncompromising towards any such case.

Answering a question, the Minister specified that the illegal correction of the riverbed in Elenite, which led to the formation of a plug, preventing the natural outflow of water, will be removed. When asked about the fate of a hotel in the area, the Minister declined to comment, pointing out the legal deadlines provided for taking action to demolish the illegal construction. He confirmed that the aquapark also does not have the necessary documents.

The Minister added that the prosecutor's office will have to determine who did not do their job in the past, by not taking measures against the construction in the area. All documentation on the case has already been handed over to the public prosecution.