Because of information that naval mines near Odessa have been swept into the Black Sea by a storm, threatening navigation, the Bulgarian government has announced it has taken all necessary precautions. Bulgaria’s maritime borders are being monitored constantly, as are the courses of all vessels in the sea. If the need arises, regional governors and the Ministry of Defence are ready for mine-defusing operations.

In a press release, the government urges the population in the regions of Dobrich, Varna and Burgas to be vigilant, and if they notice suspicious objects in the water or on the coast, to contact emergency number 112.

The earliest the naval mines may reach Bulgaria’s shores is in 8 days’ time, but they will pass far from the coast because of the sea currents, Alexander Iliev, director of Maritime Administration, Burgas said for bTV.