Emergency Teams Contain Bulgarian Dam Burst

Jerusalem, 11 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Batanovtsi (BTA) – A dam burst today in the area before the treatment plant in the “Andreina” hamlet in the western Bulgarian town of Batanovtsi, after the confluence of the Konska River into the Struma River. This was reported to BTA by Batanovtsi’s mayor, Radoslav Petrov.

The report of the crack was filed at 4:30 p.m. A team of the Emergency Rescue Team of the Pernik Municipality was immediately sent to the scene. An excavator has been working on the site for three hours, restoring the dam.

According to the mayor of Batanovtsi, there are no flooded houses or people in distress. However, the situation remains critical and is being constantly monitored.

As a preventive measure, the release of water from the Studena Dam has been temporarily suspended to avoid further risk of flooding. Once the river level drops, controlled release will resume, the mayor also announced.

In the village of Yardzhilovtsi, there are flooded gardens and a bridge, but the water has not reached people’s homes.