The schools and nurseries in the Bulgarian southern town of Galabovo have been closed due to the high sulphur dioxide rate in the air, deputy mayor of the municipality Plamen Barakov told. He added the police and Civil Protection staff are patrolling the region and explaining to the citizens what measures they should undertake.

The high rate of sulphur dioxide causes irritation of the respiratory system, the deputy mayor noted. Maritza East Thermal Power Plant has been prescribed to reduce its activity, but there is no information for now as to whether the prescription has been observed.