Sat, Feb 11 2012

Bulgaria rewards Macedonian rescuers from the Ohrid Lake tragedy

Thu, Sep 10 2009 13:45 CET

byThe Sofia Echo staff

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Bulgaria rewards Macedonian rescuers from the Ohrid Lake tragedy

The boat Ilinden sunk seven metres into the Lake of Ohrid just 300 metres from the shore

All Macedonian citizens who helped rescue Bulgarian passengers from the Ilinden boat, which sunk in the Lake of Ohrid on September 5 2009, will receive Order For Civil Merit 1st class, the Presidency said on September 10.

The order is awarded to people of great distinction who have contributed to the development and consolidation of civil society.

The idea came from Bozhidar Dimitrov, Minister without portfolio responsible for Bulgarians abroad. The full list is yet to be compiled.

The sinking of the boat, which had 55 Bulgarian passengers on board, led to 15 deaths through drowning.

The boat sank over the course of just 10 minutes but, thanks to the courageous efforts of nearby boats and Macedonian civilians on the shore, 40 people were saved.

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