During geophysical scientific research on the Kondel glacier yesterday and near the Bulgarian Antarctic base “St. Kliment Ohridski“ nuclear physicist Vasil Gurev fell into a deep ice crevasse. Thanks to strict adherence to safety rules when moving outside the base area in an alpine connection, Gurev's partner – field assistant Alexander Valchev, managed to hold him at a depth of two meters and bring him to the surface.
This was reported to BTA by Prof. Hristo Pimpirev – head of the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions, who is also the chairman of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute.
„The incident ended completely safely and showed the extreme importance of observing safety rules and the professional work of the teams. Such incidents in other expeditions have often ended with serious consequences. Geophysical research on the Condel glacier continues without interruption“, informed Prof. Hristo Pimpirev.
The research vessel „St. St. Cyril and Methodius“ (NIK 421) sailed from Varna for its third expedition to Antarctica on November 7, 2024 and after almost two months of sailing reached Livingston Island on December 28. The Bulgarian Antarctic base „St. Kliment Ohridski“ was opened for the new polar season on November 23, 2024.