Tragedy in Nessebar: New Evidence on Child Incident

The prosecution presented new, key evidence in the tragic case of the child who died during parasailing in Nessebar, which sheds additional light on the circumstances of the incident. The documents were attached to the case file during a tense session of the Appellate Court in Burgas, where the restraining measures for the three defendants were being reviewed.

In the courtroom, where a heavy atmosphere caused by the seriousness of the case could be felt, witness interrogations and company documents were submitted, including the control ticket for the boat that was pulling the parachute. Eight-year-old Ivan fell from it, finding his death. The case materials also included the instruction and safety logbooks, as well as information that the parasailing attraction had been stopped before the fatal incident because it had been deemed dangerous.

After a prolonged session that lasted for almost two hours, the court confirmed the permanent arrest of two of the defendants – the head of the water sports base, Petko Stefanov, and the sailor, Kamen Tenev. The captain of the boat, Hristo Raev, who was also appealing his measure, was released on 5000 BGN bail. This court decision is final.

In the corridors of the courthouse, before the hearing, the defense for the three defendants insisted on lighter measures, while each of them was trying to shift the blame onto the other two.

For the first time, the boat's captain, Hristo Raev, the only one released on bail, spoke to journalists. He stated that he had been working for the company for seven or eight years and had not had any technical problems until now. Raev noted that when needed, new ropes and parachutes are purchased. "When the captain says – you need to tie a new rope, it's bought. When he says – we need a new parachute, it's bought the very next day", he shared.

Raev confirmed that the parasailing attraction had not been working for two or three weeks during the summer because it was considered dangerous for customers. He added that the harnesses used for the attraction are changed regularly, but he himself is not responsible for fastening them on customers. He categorically shifted the blame for this to the sailor: "I don't have the time to look at them. I'm doing 5-6 other things", Raev said and added that he simply saw the child fall. "We tried to save the mother so that she wouldn't jump after him too", he stated to the media.

Meanwhile, the lawyers for the other two defendants also commented on the situation. Attorney Blagoy Poterov, who is defending Petko Stefanov, expressed his opinion that his client is not the person who should bear the full responsibility. "He absolutely did not hide any documents. There is no way he could hide the documents, as the company manager stores the documents", Poterov added.

Petar Dimitrov, the lawyer for the sailor Kamen Tenev, also claims that his client is the most innocent. "According to the specified normative acts, he is not responsible. They obligate the group leader and the captain, but not him. He could be responsible for simple negligence", Dimitrov stated.

The ruling of the Appellate Court in Burgas, which is final, states that the permanent arrest of Stefanov and Tenev remains in effect, while the bail of five thousand BGN, imposed on Raev, is confirmed. Thus, the investigation continues, and the fate of the three defendants remains in the hands of justice.