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At least 11 dead after motorway pile-ups in Bulgaria fog

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Dense fog initially caused a severe collision on the eastbound carriageway of the Trakia motorway, which subsequently led to a secondary crash on the Sofia-bound side as drivers became distracted. Dozens of injured travelers were transported to hospitals across the Yambol, Sliven, and Burgas regions following the morning disaster. Road administration director Galin Kostov cited wet surfaces and inappropriate driving speeds as key factors that exacerbated the catastrophe. The entire motorway remains closed while emergency services complete recovery efforts and clear the extensive wreckage.

Key points

  • Dual collisions on opposing carriageways resulted in 11 fatalities and left 46 people inj…: Dual collisions on opposing carriageways resulted in 11 fatalities and left 46 people injured.
  • Officials attributed the deadly incidents to dense fog, wet road surfaces, and drivers tr…: Officials attributed the deadly incidents to dense fog, wet road surfaces, and drivers traveling at inappropriate speeds.
  • Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev cut short a meeting with European Commission Preside…: Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev cut short a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen due to the crisis.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

- Published

At least 11 people have been killed after dozens of cars and lorries were involved in two pile-ups on the Trakia motorway in south-eastern Bulgaria.

Health Minister Katya Ivkova said 10 people died at the scene, near the town of Zimnitsa, and one more in hospital. A further 46 people were injured, BTA state news agency reported.

Sliven region governor Mihail Kasherov told journalists at the scene that more than 70 vehicles were involved.

Officials have said dense fog reduced visibility and was the likely cause of the first crash, which occurred on the eastbound carriageway.

The second crash, on the Sofia-bound carriageway, was likely also caused by the fog, with drivers also distracted by the first crash, BTA reported an official as saying.

The Trakia motorway runs from west-to-east of Bulgaria, and cuts through the capital Sofia.

Road administration director Galin Kostov added that speeds were unsuitable for the conditions, which included wet road surfaces, and the motorway would remain closed until it had been cleared, BTA reported.

Yambol regional governor Georgi Chalakov said reports first came…

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