Burgas honors the memory of police officers who died in the line of duty

Two years after their tragic death, Junior Inspector Atanas Gradev and Junior Inspector Yordan Iliev were honored at a commemorative ceremony in Burgas. The two law enforcement officers lost their lives in August 2022 under dramatic circumstances while pursuing a bus carrying 47 illegal migrants. Their sacrifice and courage were honored at a tribute that gathered hundreds of people at the scene of the incident.

The ceremony took place today at the 'Trapezitsa' intersection in Burgas – the location where their patrol car collided with the bus in an attempt to stop it. The atmosphere was heavy and filled with silence and sorrow. Dozens of colleagues of the deceased police officers, dressed in uniform, stood with bowed heads, while their relatives struggled to hold back their tears. The grief for the lost lives was visible on the faces of everyone present.

Senior representatives of the state government and the Ministry of Interior attended the memorial act, which underlined the significance of the tragedy. Among them were Deputy Minister of Interior Toni Todorov, the Director of the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior - Burgas, Senior Commissioner Vladimir Marinov, Regional Governor Vladimir Krumov, and the Mayor of Burgas, Dimitar Nikolov. All of them laid flowers in front of the monument to the deceased, paying tribute to their selflessness.

The event brought together representatives of various institutions, public figures, and many citizens who came to pay their respects. Deputy Minister Toni Todorov, along with other officials, bowed their heads in a sign of respect for the memory of Gradev and Iliev. The presence of so many people, including former leaders of the Ministry of Interior and ordinary citizens, showed that their sacrifice has not been forgotten.

Later, on social media, the Minister of Interior, Daniel Mitov, also expressed his condolences. In an official address, he wrote: "The courage and sacrifice of Junior Inspector Atanas Gradev and Junior Inspector Yordan Iliev will never be forgotten. On August 25, 2022, in the line of duty, they died after their patrol car attempted to stop a bus carrying 47 illegal migrants. Their sacrifice for the security of others will forever remain an example of the honor and strength of the Bulgarian police. We bow to their bright memory".

The tragedy that occurred two years ago remains a vivid example of the risks that law enforcement officers take daily to protect the safety of citizens. We bow to the memory of Junior Inspector Gradev and Junior Inspector Iliev.