Bulgaria Highway Pile-Up: 11 Killed, 50 Injured as Over 50 Vehicles Crash in Dense Fog

November 10, 2026

Sofia: At least 11 people died and scores were injured after a series of crashes involving more than 50 vehicles on Bulgaria’s Trakia motorway on Tuesday, November 10. Thick fog is thought to have played a part in the fatal accidents.

Several cars, buses and lorries were involved in the accidents which happened near the city of Yambol on the motorway between Sofia and the eastern city of Burgas. Multiple vehicles were crushed, flipped or thrown from the road and some cars also caught fire.

Emergency services responded quickly to the scene with police, fire crews and ambulances arriving on site. However, the extent of the damage caused by the accident made it difficult for the emergency services to reach those stuck in the damaged vehicles.

Two Major Accidents Near Yambol

It is reported that two pile ups happened a couple of kilometres apart near the Zimnitsa junction. One happened on the motorway towards Burgas and the other on the opposite side towards Sofia.

The first accident happened after a bus and lorry crashed on the side of the highway towards Burgas causing a number of other vehicles to be involved.

Thick fog was thought to be the cause of the accident according to Lyubomir Nikolov, acting chief secretary of Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry. An eyewitness told local media that visibility was reduced to about 30 metres.

The motorway was shut in both directions whilst emergency services carried out rescue operations. A crisis team was also set up.

Prime Minister Describes Incident As Tragedy

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev confirmed that 11 people died and around 50 were injured. He said that it was a tragedy and aircraft had been sent to assist with evacuating the injured. He will also visit the scene of the accident.

Radev cancelled his plans to attend events in Varna.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who was visiting Bulgaria sent her condolences to the families of those who died. She praised the rescue teams and has decided to shorten her visit.

“Some people are still stuck inside their vehicles but once we have finished with the rescue operations we will start our investigation,” Chief Inspector Todor Mishinev of the Yambol Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry said.

The authorities are likely to look into what happened during the two accidents including how the lack of visibility played a role.