In 2023, there were 14 850 hazardous events (disasters, accidents and crises), representing a 1.0% increase compared to the previous year. The highest relative share is occupied by fires resulting in material damage - 50.4%, followed by road traffic accidents with casualties - 47.2%. The number of human fatalities resulting from disasters, accidents and crises was 667, while injured individuals were 9 415.
The country experienced a total of 104 hazardous events for which a state of emergency was declared, marking an increase of 55 events compared to the previous year. The largest share of these disasters was related to floods, storms, severe winter conditions, and forest fires. Compared to 2022, the declared states of emergency due to floods rose by 62.5%, while those linked to forest fires increased by 85.7%.
According to NSI estimates, in 2023, expenditures for preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery from hazardous events in the “General Government” sector were BGN 850 977 thousand, or 0.46% of the country’s GDP.
