A national partner drill on earthquake response will be conducted by the Bulgarian Red Cross, the organization announced. It will be held from 21 to 24 September 2023 at the organisation's National training and logistics centre in the village of Lozen near Sofia. 

The exercise scenario is for a large-scale disaster following a devastating earthquake with an epicentre near Sofia. "Initial figures indicate that 300 people have died, more than 150,000 are in need of assistance and more than 200,000 are affected," the scenario reads. The drill will involve 160 professionals from the Bulgarian Red Cross, Mountain Rescue Service teams with search dogs, Fire Safety and Emergency Services staff and others.