More than 30 people were injured in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, where police used pepper gas against demonstrators demanding the resignation of the government due to the water crisis, reports Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), citing medical experts.
Since the end of the year, a number of areas in Bulgaria have experienced problems with the supply of water to the population. The crisis has hit the city of Pernik in the west of the country particularly hard. In this connection, the Bulgarian Party of Socialists brought a vote of no confidence in the government to the People’s Assembly (Parliament) a week ago.
On Monday, protesters demanding the resignation of the government gathered in front of the Ministry of Regional Development and tried to storm the building. To contain the onslaught, the police used pepper gas. In response, protesters began throwing mineral water bottles and tin cans at the building.
Six ambulances arrived at the site of the conflict and some of the victims were taken to hospital.
The drinking crisis scandal has already led to the arrest and resignation of Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov, who is accused of criminal mismanagement.