A devastating road accident on Bulgaria’s Trakia Motorway has killed 12 people and left approximately 50 others injured after two massive multi-vehicle pile-ups involving cars, buses and heavy trucks in dense fog.
The crashes occurred on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, near the Zimnitsa junction in southeastern Bulgaria’s Yambol region. The motorway, also known as the A1, connects the capital Sofia with the Black Sea city of Burgas.
Bulgarian authorities said the collisions involved dozens of vehicles across both directions of the highway. The latest official reporting from the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) recorded 86 vehicles involved and 51 people hospitalized, with 13 of the injured in serious condition.
How the Bulgaria Trakia Motorway Accident Happened
According to Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry, the first collision occurred on the Burgas-bound carriageway when a truck blocked the path of a passenger bus. Further crashes followed, involving additional trucks and passenger vehicles.
Thick fog reportedly reduced visibility to approximately 70 to 80 metres. Wet road conditions and vehicle speeds unsuitable for the weather were also identified as possible contributing factors. Investigators are examining the precise circumstances surrounding both pile-ups.
Images from the scene showed severely damaged vehicles, overturned trucks and cars crushed against one another across several lanes. Emergency responders worked to reach trapped motorists, while firefighters helped remove wreckage and assist injured passengers.
Emergency Response After the Bulgaria Car Accident
Police, firefighters, ambulance crews and military personnel were deployed to the crash site. Hospitals across the affected region received casualties, while medical facilities in Sofia and other cities were placed on standby.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev ordered government and military aircraft to help transport seriously injured victims to hospitals in Sofia.
The Bulgarian government also declared November 11 a national day of mourning in honour of those who lost their lives.
Investigation Into the Deadly Bulgaria Motorway Crash
The National Investigation Service has taken responsibility for examining the two collisions. Investigators are reviewing witness accounts, road conditions, vehicle movements and possible contributing factors.
Authorities are also examining the motorway’s asphalt surface and road markings as part of the investigation. Officials have cautioned against drawing conclusions before technical assessments are completed.
The Trakia Motorway was closed in both directions near the Zimnitsa junction while emergency operations and investigations continued.
The disaster has renewed concerns about highway safety during periods of severe fog, particularly on busy routes carrying heavy commercial and passenger traffic.