Authorities in Bulgaria confirmed Friday that a citizen who vanished 17 years ago and was legally declared deceased has been discovered alive in a secluded area of Pirin National Park, according to Türkiye Today. Personnel from the Pirin Park Directorate discovered him while conducting standard inspections of the park's camping facilities.
Rangers from the park observed a tent positioned beyond approved camping boundaries and moved to identify the individual occupying it, Türkiye Today reported. Rosen Banenski, who serves as director of Pirin National Park, stated the individual displayed hostile behavior upon contact. Law enforcement officers were summoned to the location, where they determined the man possessed no identification documentation.
Park officials confirmed the tent belonged to the missing man in Bulgaria's Pirin National Park, Türkiye Today reported.
"Upon arrival of the police officers, it was established that the person had been declared dead, and a death certificate had been issued for him," Rosen Banenski stated to BNT, according to Türkiye Today. "The individual is believed to be a Bulgarian citizen, most likely from Ruse, who had been declared missing by his family years ago."
Officials indicated the man had been designated as wanted by both national and international authorities in 2008, Türkiye Today reported. Following unsuccessful search operations, authorities issued a death certificate for him in 2013. Rangers located the tent in an isolated section of the protected area, positioned at a considerable distance from established hiking routes and visitor facilities, indicating a deliberate choice to maintain separation from populated zones.
Banenski stated that following complete identity confirmation, officials will assist in securing proper documentation while levying an administrative fine for unauthorized camping activity, according to Türkiye Today. Current regulations establish penalties ranging from 500 Bulgarian leva ($295) to 5,000 leva.
"This case demonstrates the challenges of monitoring remote areas of the park and the determination of individuals who choose to live in seclusion," Rosen Banenski stated to BNT, Türkiye Today reported. Law enforcement investigations continue to establish the circumstances that allowed the individual to remain undetected for more than 10 years.
