The southeast European nation of Bulgaria has launched a new tourist attraction by sinking the personal plane of former dictator Todor Zhivkov in the Black Sea, in order to create an artificial reef to be explored by scuba divers, reports Europe 1.
The plane, a Soviet-made TU-154, has been submerged at a depth of 22 meters, located 700 meters off the coast of Saint Konstatine resort, north of Varna.
At 49-meters in length, the TU-154 is the largest plane ever to be placed underwater. In order to help minimize pollution, the engines and interior have been removed.
The sea vegetation that will grow around it is expected to boost the local fish population and make the artificial reef more attractive to divers. To help protect the divers, no large ships will be allowed within a 500-meter radius of the site.
The plane had been grounded since 1999 following the dictator’s death, but once was responsible for chartering Zhivkov and other esteemed guests – including Fidel Castro – around on business.
Zhivkov ruled Bulgaria for 35 years until the end of his communist regime in 1989. The country is now a parliamentary democracy.