At least five people have been killed and 25 injured when a cargo train derailed and burst into flames in northeast Bulgaria.<br /><br /> Around 20 buildings have been flattened in the village of Hitrino.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Death toll<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> At least three of the victims remain in a critical condition. <br /><br /> The authorities say the number of fatalities could rise.<br /><br /> Prime Minister Boiko Borisov has appealed for blood donations at the local hospital treating the injured.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What happened?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Seven of the train’s tanks, carrying propane-butane and propylene, derailed at the station in the village.<br /><br /> The cars hit the overhead electricity line and burst into flames, according to Mincho Lambrev from the National Railway Infrastructure Company.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Battling the blaze<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Around 150 firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire.<br /><br /> They are also searching for survivors in houses near the site of the crash.<br /><br /> Police say they are investigating the incident.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Where is Hitrino?<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Around 280 kilometres north east of the Bulgarian capital, Sofia.<br /><br /> It is home to around 800 people.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> In tweets<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Bulgarian Transport Minister on Hitrino train explosion: Sparks were seen coming… https://t.co/huLSgloHrM pic.twitter.com/5JIKUWZIB7— The Sofia Globe (@TheSofiaGlobe) December 10, 2016 <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> First picturesof Bulgariatrain crash in #Hitrino as train explodesintoflameskillingatleast four https://t.co/hD5PgW31VF pic.twitter.com/zeCJJ8IMLO— Daily Express (@Daily_Express) December 10, 2016 <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Atleast 4 people are deadaftera cargo train derailedand explodedin the Bulgarianvillage of Hitrinohttps://t.co/QQR3qBTXJh #Bulgaria— Maria Georgieva(@mariageorgieva) December 10, 2016 <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> Five killedin cargo train explosion – Firefightersatthe sceneof devastationin the village of Hitrinohttps://t.co/yOCV9a1Sm1— Pedro MuñozLorite(@PMunozLorite) December 10, 2016 <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> What they are saying<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /> “Two blasts have caused a serious fire and ruined at least 20 buildings. There are many people injured, many with burns,” – Interior Ministry Chief Secretary, Georgi Kostov.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> “There will be more casualties for sure,” – outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov.<br />
