December 28 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Antarctic base "St. Kliment Ohridski" was opened for the new polar season with a 20-day delay, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, told BTA.

The statement said that earlier on Tuesday morning the Chilean warship Galvarino managed to drop off 15 Bulgarian polar explorers with 10 tonnes of construction materials and provisions on the shores of Livingston Island, after their arrival was disrupted 20 days ago due to hurricane wind, big waves and ice blocks in the bay.

"Bad weather and, above all, the impossibility of using the research ship St. St. Cyril and Methodius yet, caused the Bulgarian base to be opened the latest of all 29 expeditions so far. Despite the twenty-day delay in the planned schedule, we hope to implement the planned construction activities and scientific programme" said Prof. Hristo Pimpirev. DT//

Source: Sofia