At least 12 people have been killed and 51 injured in a massive chain-reaction crash on a motorway in southeastern Bulgaria, according to reports. An Interior Ministry official said a grain truck blocked a bus, triggering the first chain crash, while poor visibility amid dense fog was likely a factor.
The crash occurred just after 7 a.m. on Tuesday near Yambol, on the Trakia motorway linking the capital Sofia with the Black Sea port of Burgas, with traffic halted in both directions for the day, according to reports.
Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry Lyubomir Nikolov said a truck carrying grain blocked the path of a passenger bus, triggering the first chain crash. Poor visibility in thick fog was a likely factor, he added. Health Minister Katya Ivkova said ten people died at the scene and two died while being taken to hospital. In total, 46 people were transported to medical facilities for treatment. Yambol region governor Georgi Chalakov estimated about 50 cars and trucks were involved in the accidents. Balkan Insight reported that at least 86 vehicles were involved.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev declared November 11 a national day of mourning, calling the event a "dark day for the whole of Bulgaria" and a "tragedy". He cancelled his official events scheduled for later Tuesday, including talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was visiting Varna for Black Sea security discussions. Von der Leyen expressed condolences and respect for the rescue teams. Parliament also cancelled its sessions, delaying several draft-law votes. President Iliana Iotova halted her participation in the Paris Peace Forum and said she would return to Bulgaria.
The injured were taken to hospitals in Yambol, Sliven and Burgas. The government dispatched two aircraft with stretchers and medical teams, and social media widely shared calls for blood donations to hospitals in Sofia and Sliven.
Motorways in southeastern Bulgaria are ranked among the most dangerous in the European Union. In 2025, Bulgaria recorded 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants, the highest rate in the EU, according to European Commission figures. The accident has renewed debate about poor road safety. The National Statistical Institute reported that in 2025, 6,665 serious traffic accidents left 465 dead and 8,295 injured.
Analysis
Why this matters
- One of the deadliest road accidents in Bulgaria's recent history highlights a persistent poor road safety record, the worst in the European Union.
- The crash has disrupted national political business, forcing cancellation of a prime ministerial meeting with the European Commission president and suspending parliamentary sessions.
- Rescue operations and blood donation appeals underscore the immediate health and emergency response pressures on the region.
Background
Bulgaria has long struggled with road safety; its motorways are among the deadliest in the EU. In 2025 the country recorded 71 road deaths per million people, the bloc's highest rate, according to European Commission data. The Trakia motorway is a key east-west artery connecting the capital to Burgas, a major Black Sea port.
What to watch
- Whether Bulgaria's government announces new road-safety measures or investigations in response to the renewed public debate.
- The health of the 46 injured taken to hospitals, some of whom may be in critical condition.
- Any further details from the official investigation into the crash's exact causes.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 2 sources: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAt least 12 people were killed in the Bulgarian motorway crash.Balkan Insight: “a massive pile-up in which at least 86 vehicles were involved, leaving 12 dead and 51 injured, according to reports.”
- SupportedAn Interior Ministry official said a grain truck blocked a passenger bus, triggering the first chain crash.Balkan Insight: ““A truck [carrying grain] blocked the path of a bus carrying passengers, triggering the first chain crash,” said Chief Secretary of the Interior Ministry Lyubomir Nikolov”
- SupportedThe official said poor visibility amid dense fog was likely a factor.Balkan Insight: “adding that poor visibility amid dense fog was likely a factor.”
- SupportedThe crash injured 51 people.Balkan Insight: “leaving 12 dead and 51 injured, according to reports.”
- SupportedThe crashes happened on Tuesday near Yambol, on the route linking Sofia with Burgas.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The crashes happened on Tuesday near Yambol on the route linking the capital, Sofia, with the Black Sea port of Burgas”
- SupportedTraffic was halted in both directions for the day.Balkan Insight: “Traffic on the motorway is halted in both directions for the day as rescue missions continue.”
- SupportedHealth Minister Katya Ivkova said 10 people died at the scene and two died while being taken to hospital.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Health Minister Katya Ivkova said 10 people “died on the spot” and two died while they were being taken to hospital.”
- SupportedIvkova said 46 people were transported to medical facilities for treatment.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “Ivkova said 46 people were transported to medical facilities for treatment.”
- SupportedThe Yambol region governor estimated that about 50 cars and trucks were involved.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “The Yambol region’s governor, Georgi Chalakov, said an estimated 50 cars and trucks were involved in the accidents”
- SupportedBalkan Insight reported that at least 86 vehicles were involved.Balkan Insight: “a chain-reaction crash on the Trakia motorway caused a massive pile-up in which at least 86 vehicles were involved”
- SupportedPrime Minister Rumen Radev declared November 11 a national day of mourning and called it “a dark day for the whole of Bulgaria”.Balkan Insight: “Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev on Tuesday declared November 11 a national day of mourning ... Radev described Tuesday as “a dark day for the whole of Bulgaria””
- SupportedIn 2025, Bulgaria recorded 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants, the highest rate in the EU.Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al Jazeera: “In 2025, Bulgaria recorded 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants, the highest rate in the EU, according to European Commission figures.”