Four people killed in a cargo train explosion in Bulgaria

Four people were killed and another 25 were injured after a cargo train derailed and exploded in the northeastern Bulgarian village of Hitrino, demolishing at least 20 buildings, police said on Saturday.

Two of the train's tanks, carrying propane-butane and propylene, derailed at the station of the village, hit electricity line and exploded in flames early on Saturday, a senior police officer said.

"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 said.

Some 150 firemen are trying to put out the fire and are searching for survivors in houses near the train lines. Police said they are investigating the incident.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov is travelling to the village, some 280 km northeast of Sofia and home to around 800 people. Borisov appealed to Bulgarians in the northern city of Shumen to donate blood to the local hospital where the injured are being transported.