Deadly Multi-Vehicle Crashes Claim More Than Ten Lives on Bulgarian Highway

(MENAFN) More than 10 people lost their lives in two large-scale traffic collisions involving approximately 50 vehicles on a major highway in southeastern Bulgaria on Tuesday, forcing authorities to suspend traffic in both directions.

The accidents took place on opposite carriageways of the Trakia Motorway near the Zimnitsa junction in the Yambol region, at kilometer points 289 and 294, regional Governor Georgi Chalakov said.

The Interior Ministry reported that thick fog had severely limited visibility in the area. Regional Road Administration Director Galin Kostov also identified slippery road surfaces and driving speeds inappropriate for the weather as contributing factors.

Four people who sustained serious injuries were transported to St. Panteleimon Hospital in Yambol, Deputy Hospital Director Valentin Valchev confirmed.

Another eight injured individuals were scheduled to receive medical treatment at a hospital in the nearby city of Sliven, Regional Governor Mihail Kasherov said. One of them was in particularly critical condition after suffering a traumatic brain injury.

Emergency response teams were sent to the scene after the first alert was received at 7:10 a.m. (0510 GMT), Chalakov stated.

Rescue personnel encountered difficulties reaching some of the victims and were forced to remove sections of roadside safety barriers to gain access to the injured. Meanwhile, poor visibility caused by the dense fog prevented medical helicopters from carrying out evacuations.

Authorities closed the Trakia Motorway in both directions following the collisions, with the road expected to remain inaccessible until all vehicles involved in the accidents were removed.

MENAFN10112026000045018846ID1111940867