A massive landslide has caused unprecedented damage in the Smolyan region, tearing away a large section of the Pamporovo-Smolyan road and prompting warnings that repairs could take at least a year. Around 300 meters of roadway were affected, with hundreds of trees and electricity poles swept away, while a gas pipeline and local gas connection were also severed, forcing a halt to supply in the area. The first signs of danger appeared around 8 a.m., when cracks began forming in the asphalt, leading to an immediate halt in traffic. Within hours, large volumes of earth gave way and slid down the slope. Nearby, an abandoned multi-story concrete structure has raised additional concerns due to possible structural instability. Authorities confirm that no intervention can begin until the terrain stabilizes, while a dam located above the landslide is also under close observation. “The cracks were about 30–40 cm wide… maybe about 5,000–6,000 square meters slid down the slope,” said Eng. Marin Kushev, noting that both the gas pipeline and power grid were damaged during the collapse. Regional governor Zarko Marinov stressed that no state of emergency has been declared, as there are no casualties, and confirmed that alternative routes remain operational.
The situation around the massive landslide near Smolyan is beginning to stabilize, although the terrain remains active and continues to raise concern among authorities and experts. Regional governor Zarko Marinov said that conditions are improving, stressing that access to the Pamporovo resort is currently maintained through alternative routes via Stoykite and the Rozhen pass. Utility services remain largely unaffected, with electricity and water supply functioning normally. The gas pipeline, which was damaged during the collapse, is expected to be restored quickly, with temporary solutions already underway. Marinov described the event as “the largest landslide in Bulgaria, possibly even in the Balkans,” adding that such processes are typical for the region and are likely linked to excessive moisture rather than any issues with the nearby dam, which he said remains stable and unchanged.
Local authorities, however, remain cautious. Smolyan mayor Nikolay Melemov characterized the situation as severe, warning that the ground is still shifting and requires close monitoring. “The processes are not over yet, so we are all worried,” he said, urging immediate action and faster institutional response given the limited time window before seasonal changes. Initial surveys and technical assessments are expected to begin shortly to determine the full scope of the damage and outline possible recovery measures.
The landslide has caused extensive destruction, wiping out nearly 70 meters of road along the Smolyan-Pamporovo route and affecting an area of about 5 decares. Entire sections of asphalt, along with trees, electricity poles, and large volumes of earth, have collapsed into the ravine. The incident began early in the morning with a smaller section of the road giving way, but within hours expanded significantly, ultimately rendering the road completely unusable. Authorities declared a state of emergency, and the affected section has been secured and closed to traffic.
Experts, including geologists and engineers, have inspected the site to assess whether temporary stabilization measures or a provisional bypass road can be constructed. According to Regional Road Administration head Eng. Marin Kushev, “the most urgent task is to determine whether a bypass route is feasible,” though this will depend on safety evaluations and potential impacts on nearby properties. While an older route exists, specialists must confirm whether it can handle the redirected traffic.
In the meantime, vehicles are being rerouted through Pamporovo-Stoykite-Smolyan and via the Rozhen pass, though these roads are already under pressure. Police patrols have been deployed to manage traffic flow and prevent congestion. Public transport operators have also adjusted their routes accordingly.
Authorities emphasize that there is currently no danger to residents or tourist facilities in Pamporovo, despite the scale of the disaster. However, new cracks have appeared in nearby sections of the road, suggesting the landslide may still be expanding. Monitoring equipment will be installed to track ground movement over the coming months before any permanent reconstruction begins.
Government officials have confirmed that the recovery will be long-term. Regional Minister Nikolay Naydenov estimated that restoring the destroyed road could take between one and two years due to the complexity of the terrain. He noted that the landslide is the result of natural geological and hydrological processes typical for the Rhodope Mountains, rather than any single external factor.