Sofia Nadezhda depot explosion triggers criminal investigation

An explosion occurred in a passenger carriage undergoing repairs at the Nadezhda depot in Sofia on Monday, September 21, shortly after 10:00 a.m. The blast caused significant damage to the repair workshop, shattering approximately 300 square meters of glass on the northern facade and the roof. No individuals were present in the hangar at the time of the incident.

Security footage captured the moment the carriage ignited, emitting flames and heavy smoke. The explosion appears to have originated from an external electrical control cabinet containing electronic hardware for lighting and vacuum toilet systems. Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) stated that no potentially explosive substances or gases were located within this specific cabinet, noting that freon is stored diagonally under the carriage, far from the blast site.

While initial police inspections did not find immediate signs of an intentional device, authorities have since launched a criminal investigation into a possible intentional act against an unknown perpetrator. Forensic data has been submitted to the Sofia District Prosecutor's Office to determine the cause of the explosion.