The case of the serious accident with the tram, initiated by the SDVR, has been transferred from the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office to the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office, bTV learned from unofficial sources.
The reason is that evidence of intentional actions and possibly committed crimes, which are within the competence of the city prosecutor's office, was collected during the investigation.
Throughout the day, the police have been reviewing camera recordings and questioning witnesses. It is not yet clear how many people will be charged, including whether the driver himself, who left the derailed tram unattended, will be among the accused.
The chairman of the Standing Committee on Transport and Road Safety at the SOS Ivan Takov told the media that the footage from the cameras in the tram shows two young men pulling the tram's handle and it starts moving.
Takov said that he has information that there is one person detained in the case who has explained to the police what was seen on the cameras and has admitted his guilt.
The other perpetrator is still being sought, Ivan Takov added.
Investigative actions are continuing, with more details expected from the investigators tomorrow.
And on Thursday at 10 a.m. the chairman of the transport committee at the SOS convenes an extraordinary meeting to hear the executive director of the capital's electric transport.
We recall that the incident occurred early this morning. Around 4:30 a.m. tram number 22 derailed, swept through an underpass and hit cars parked on the street.
The main version that investigators are working on is external intervention. However, the possibility of human error is not ruled out.
“The driver said that he had taken all necessary measures to protect the tram from moving off on its own. The information about strangers around the tram cannot be confirmed before the cameras are examined. An untrained person cannot move off“, commented Emil Mihaylov, head of the “Emergency Service“ to the Sofia Electric Transport.
The tram was at full power when the law enforcement agencies arrived.
“The driver left the train without control, going for a coffee. Currently, the criminal-operational group of the SDVR is clarifying all the circumstances in order to answer the question of whether there was another person inside and his intervention to drive at such speed and cause such enormous damage that you see on the underpass. I personally ask myself the question - when did these people get off the tram, because the tram has closed doors when moving. At this speed, where did these people get off“, said Krasimir Dimitrov, “Emergency Assistance and Prevention” to the Sofia Metropolitan Municipality.
Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev has ordered an immediate investigation into the case.
“If human error is found, I will insist on specific consequences and stricter control over compliance with the rules by all drivers. If there was external interference, responsibility will be sought uncompromisingly, with the assistance of the prosecutor's office,“ Terziev said.