Dense morning fog near Yambol led to a devastating pile-up involving approximately 50 cars and trucks, prompting officials to shut down the major motorway in both directions. Health officials confirmed that 10 people perished at the crash site, two died during transport, and 46 injured individuals were taken to local medical facilities. In response to the scale of the emergency, the government mobilized airborne medical resources to support strained regional hospitals. The crisis also prompted Prime Minister Rumen Radev to cancel official engagements with visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Key points
Severe fog caused a mass-casualty pile-up that completely closed the vital motorway betwe…: Severe fog caused a mass-casualty pile-up that completely closed the vital motorway between Sofia and Burgas.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev halted scheduled diplomatic meetings with European Commission…: Prime Minister Rumen Radev halted scheduled diplomatic meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following the disaster.
The catastrophe highlights chronic transit safety issues in Bulgaria, which led the Europ…: The catastrophe highlights chronic transit safety issues in Bulgaria, which led the European Union in 2025 with 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Dozens of people transported to hospital after 50 vehicle pile-up caused by thick fog.
Thick fog on a motorway has caused a string of vehicles to crash into one another, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens more in eastern Bulgaria, a government minister says.
The crashes happened on Tuesday near Yambol on the route linking the capital, Sofia, with the Black Sea port of Burgas, forcing the closure of the road in both directions.
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list of 1 itemend of listThe Yambol region’s governor, Georgi Chalakov, said an estimated 50 cars and trucks were involved in the accidents, the BTA state news agency reported.
Health Minister Katya Ivkova said 10 people “died on the spot” and two died while they were being taken to hospital.
Ivkova said 46 people were transported to medical facilities for treatment.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev was meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is on a visit to Bulgaria, and cancelled his official events scheduled for later on Tuesday. He described the accident as a “tragedy”.
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