An 83-year-old former university lecturer died in a Sofia hospital after being found in a coma with severe head injuries inside an elevator at the Joliot-Curie metro station, according to reports from Bulgarian outlets including Darik.bg, NOVA, and Dir.bg. Police and emergency services responded to the scene around 13:00 on Thursday following an emergency call about an injured elderly man.
Assault Investigation at Joliot-Curie Station
Investigators launched a preliminary investigation into the incident as a severe criminal offense, according to NOVA. Forensic teams and police officers cordoned off the area around the elevator at the Joliot-Curie station and seized surveillance camera footage from the vicinity, NOVA and Dir.bg noted.
Informal information indicates a personal motive may lie behind the attack, according to Dir.bg, though law enforcement authorities have not confirmed a specific motive or announced any arrests. Investigators continue to review security recordings and examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal beating.
Metropolitan Transport Security Statements
Metropolitan, the operator of the Sofia subway system, addressed safety concerns following the incident at the Joliot-Curie station. Nikolay Naydenov, executive director of Metropolitan, told bTВ—as cited by Dir.bg—that the metro system itself remains safe and free of transit-related safety incidents. Naydenov stated that incidents occurring in connecting infrastructure reflect broader societal challenges and commended citizens for promptly notifying station staff.
Separately, Darik.bg reported a second incident on the same day at around 16:00, when a man jumped onto the tracks at the Alexander Malinov metro station. Line 1 train traffic experienced temporary delays during that incident. Metropolitan staff and police officers removed the individual from the rail tracks within minutes, and normal train intervals resumed, according to Darik.bg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have authorities made any arrests in connection with the metro elevator attack?
No suspects had been detained as of the initial reports following the incident, and an active pre-trial proceeding remains underway, as reported by NOVA and Dir.bg.
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