Twelve individuals have tragically lost their lives and over fifty others sustained injuries after two separate pile-ups involving numerous cars and trucks occurred on the Trakia motorway in southeastern Bulgaria, as announced by President Rumen Radev. The accidents took place near Zimnitsa, with eleven fatalities reported at the scene on Tuesday and another fatality occurring later in a hospital.
The dense fog that reduced visibility was suspected to be the primary cause of the initial crash on the eastbound carriageway, according to officials. A second crash on the Sofia-bound carriageway was also likely due to the adverse weather conditions and driver distraction caused by the first crash. The Trakia motorway spans from west-to-east across Bulgaria, connecting the capital Sofia to the Black Sea coast.
Regional governor Mihail Kasherov reported that over seventy vehicles were involved in the incident. Road administration director Galin Kostov added that speeds were unsuitable for the conditions, which included wet road surfaces, and the motorway remained closed until it had been cleared. The injured individuals were transported to hospitals across the Yambol, Sliven, and Burgas regions. Rescue teams had to remove sections of the crash barrier to reach those in need, with helicopters unable to be utilized due to the foggy conditions.
President Radev, who was hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the time, cut short a news conference upon learning of the incident and visited the scene. He later declared Wednesday as a day of national mourning following the tragic events.