Bulgaria Admits Fighter Planes Shot Down Israel Airliner

The Bulgarian Government admitted today that two of its fighter planes, not anti-aircraft gunners as previously contended, had downed the EI AI Constellation with 58 persons aboard last Wednesday. The announcement, broadcast by Sofia radio, was picked up here.

The Bulgarians further admitted that the fighter pilots had been “too hasty” and had not taken all the necessary measures to force the Constellation to land before shooting it down. Also, they promised to search out and punish those responsible and to take precautions to prevent any other such disasters. Finally, the broadcast contended that Bulgaria had informed Israel of its willingness to pay compensation to the families of the victims as well as for the destruction of the plane.

Explaining the “hastiness” of its defense forces, the Bulgarian Government noted the current international tension and asserted that there had been previous violations of Bulgarian air space for the purpose of making illegal “drops” inside the country. In this tense atmosphere, it added, the government had to take measures to protect the country’s security. In its latest account of the incident, the Bulgarian Government said that the EI AI plane had flown over Bulgarian territory for a distance of 125 miles and was some 80 miles off course. The air defenses were alerted to its presence and two fighters were sent to investigate. They warned the plane to land and when, according to the Bulgarian version, the pilot failed to land, the planes opened fire.

“The organs of the anti-aircraft defense were too hasty,” the statement said. “They did not take all necessary measures to force the plane to land.” It concluded with an expression regret at the “death of innocent people.”