Sofia, Nov 23 (BTA/GNA) – The first group of the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition will have the task to unfreeze and prepare the Bulgarian base St. Kliment Ohridski in Antarctica for the following stages. Early Wednesday morning, the first group of the Expedition departed from Sofia Airport on the route Sofia – Amsterdam – Santiago de Chile – Punta Arenas – Livingstone Island. This was announced by the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute whose director, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, heads the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions.
The first team of researchers to leave Bulgaria this year includes mechanic-electrician Konstantin Nedev, commander of the Bulgarian base “St. Kliment Ohridski” Dr. Atanas Peltekov, logistics specialists Petar Trislintsev and Kamen Nedkov, Eng. Petar Sapundzhiev, geographer Dr. Temenuzhka Spasova, seismologist Dr. Gergana Georgieva, dermatologist Dr. Ivan Bogdanov, radiologist Victoria Nedyalkova, and biologist Atilla Markov.
On November 5 the Bulgarian Antarctic team held a seminar in Aheloy, which was attended by participants in the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition and officers of the research ship “St. St. Cyril and Methodius”, which is expected to set sail in mid-December for Antarctica.
The seminar in Aheloy was also attended by the head of the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy Admiral Boyan Mednikarov and BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, who took part in the 28th Bulgarian Antarctic expedition.
Prof. Pimpyrev told BTA that the ship is expected to depart from Varna in mid-December on its mission to the Ice Continent, where it should arrive in early February 2023.
On November 11, at the traditional ceremony, President Rumen Radev presented the national flag to the participants in the 31st Bulgarian Antarctic expedition.
BTA/GNA