The most common reaction in case of an earthquake is to leave the people, show the results of a recent poll carried out by the National Centre for the Study of the Public Opinion, the centre announced for FOCUS News Agency.
A day after the 5.8-magnitude quake on May 22 the NCSPO carried out a poll asking citizens ‘how would you react in case of an earthquake to secure your safety?’
Only 9% of the respondents said they did not know what to do in such a situation. Most of the uninformed are mostly poor people and people with low education, Roma citizens, but there were also citizens of the capital Sofia.
The most common reaction, stated by 58% of the people inquired, was to leave the building. 40% said they would rather find a safe place at home and stay there until the quake is over.
Every tenth Bulgarian is unaware where to look for information in case of an earthquake, show the results of the poll.
Most of these are people with poor education and socially disadvantaged, as well as representatives of the ethnic minorities.
The NCSPO registers highest rate of ignorance when it comes to the institutions people should address and ask for help in case of an earthquake.
26% of the respondents said they do not know which institution to address, while 7% said they will not address the state institutions for help at all.
The youths, the poor, people with low education, as well as citizens of Sofia, the Roma and the poor are most unaware about which institution to address in case of an earthquake.
The institutions of the local authorities are first in the list of institutions people think of in such cases (22% of the respondents).
19% of the people inquired said they will call the 112 emergency phone line, while 17% - the General Directorate for Fir Safety and Civil Protection with the Interior Ministry. 11% said they would address the Interior Ministry.
The major sources of information used by the people in case of an earthquake are the televisions (46%), radio stations (26%) and internet (14%).
The television is preferred source of information for the elder people, the poor and the people with low education, while the radio is preferred mostly by people aged 50-59, as well as by the people living in the big cities. People aged under 50 prefer the internet, as well as the people with higher education and bigger incomes.
7% of the respondents said they address friends and relatives for information.
The poll was carried out on May 23 – 30 among 1,000 adults from 86 settlements.