Advertisement

Months-long water shortage in Pernik, Bulgaria sparks protests

Bulgarian protester is wearing a gas mask and holds a poster and an empty water canister during a protest against the alleged mismanagement of Bulgarian government that led to a water crisis in Sofia, on Saturday, Jan.25, 2019. Citizens have been protesting for weeks, holding authorities accountable for bringing their city to the verge of what they are calling a humanitarian crisis. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Residents of a Bulgarian city experiencing a severe months-long water shortage gathered in front of the government headquarters Saturday demanding urgent measures to address what they described as a looming humanitarian crisis.

Protesters voiced suspicions that bribery and incompetence were behind the water shortage in the industrial city of Pernik. They warned that the reservoir at Studena Dam, the city’s only water source, would be empty in two weeks.

The water crisis in Pernik, located 30 kilometres (20 miles) west of Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, peaked in November when local authorities imposed water rationing due to the lack of supplies from the nearby dam.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Earlier this month, Bulgaria’s environment minister resigned after he was charged with deliberate mismanagement of water supplies for the city. He could face up to eight years in jail if found guilty of allowing water to go to industrial facilities despite knowing it would jeopardize drinking water supplies for nearly 100,000 people.

Story continues below advertisement

Pernik residents who are struggling to get their basic water needs have been protesting the shortages for weeks.

Click to play video: 'Dutch boxer who once faced off against Muhammad Ali now homeless in Bulgaria'
Dutch boxer who once faced off against Muhammad Ali now homeless in Bulgaria

Their anger has been fueled by the city mayor’s decision to cancel a big international dance festival for the first time in six decades because of the water crisis. The festival bring thousands of visitors to Pernik every year and is a major source of revenue for many residents.

The political opposition in Bulgaria’s parliament earlier this week filed a motion accusing the government of being responsible for the water crisis. The vote will be held on Wednesday, but will likely fail due to the government’s slim majority in parliament.

Sponsored content

AdChoices