Four people were killed and 23 injured when a cargo train loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) gas exploded in the northeastern Bulgarian village of Hitrino early Saturday, local media reported.
According to the National Radio Bulgaria (BNR) reports, the train -- carrying propane-butane and propylene -- first derailed and hit electricity line and then exploded at 05.30 a.m. local time (0330GMT), Anadolu Agency said.
Speaking after the incident, Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Georgi Kostov said the explosion also caused a fire and damaged over 20 buildings nearby.
According to local fire department chief Nikolai Nikolov, a second blast was not expected but residents of the village were still being evacuated.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, Nikolov added.
Video footage from the scene showed many houses in the village of 800 on fire and ambulances taking the injured to hospitals.
Prime Minister Boiko Borisov was traveling to the village, the government announced. He urged citizens to donate blood to address shortages at the nearby hospitals.
