NEWS

Prime Minister Boiko Borissov has paid tribute to the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Service
Prime Minister Boiko Borissov has paid tribute to the Bulgarian Mountain Rescue Service, and has pledged future support for the institution which looks after the safety of mountaineers, skiers and tourists across the country's mountain ranges.
Several members of the PSS were awarded the Bulgarian Red Cross distinction for successful operations carried out the previous year during their duty.
The MRS unit in Bansko was singled out for particular praise, for rescuing more than 30 people off the slopes of Pirin Mountains in 2010. More than 700 people were plucked to safety across Bulgaria by the MRS overall.
The MRS headquarters in Sofia was also praised for supplying personnel to other units across the country during emergencies.
The mountain rescue patrol that saved the men and children from the Duhlata cave in Vitosha was also given an award.
Seven people – four men and three children – were saved from Duhlata cave when flash floods hit the cave system and trapped them for two days underground in early December 2010. After the successful operation, the adventurers thanked the rescue teams for their effort, but vowed to return to the caves in the near future.