Background 

The Bulgarian state wanted to seize Dimitar Yordanov’s home to make space for an open-pit coalmine. But when the authorities failed to compensate Dimitar with another plot of land, he managed to get the decision cancelled.

Dimitar and his family were able to stay in their home. Yet with each passing year, the expanding coalpit crept closer and closer to the property. Detonations used in the coal extraction process shook the family home every day. Cracks appeared in the walls. An outside barn and animal pen collapsed. 

The family were eventually forced to leave their home. It had become too dangerous to stay. 

Dimitar took the mining company to court. He wanted compensation for the damage caused to his home. Even though experts found the house to be uninhabitable, and that its close proximity to the coalpit was against the law, the Bulgarian courts dismissed Dimitar’s claims because they were uncertain whether the detonations from the mine had caused the damage. 

Dimitar’s house ultimately collapsed.