At Least 12 Killed in Fog Pileups on Bulgaria's Trakia Motorway, Health Minister Says

At least 12 people were killed and 46 others were taken for treatment after two major pileups in dense fog on Bulgaria's Trakia Motorway near Yambol on Tuesday morning, Nov 10, 2026, Health Minister Katya Ivkova said, according to the Associated Press.

The crashes happened on opposite carriageways at the same place at about 7 a.m. local time. Some 86 vehicles, many of them heavy trucks, were involved, and the motorway, which links Sofia with the Black Sea port of Burgas, was closed in both directions.

What happened

Emergency services were alerted through the 112 emergency number at 7:10 a.m. The first crash occurred in the lanes heading towards Burgas, where a lorry blocked the path of a passenger bus, according to Lubomir Nikolov, Acting Chief Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Police said initial assessments point to reduced visibility due to fast-forming dense fog, a wet road surface and speeds unsuitable for the conditions. An investigation was launched.

Chief Inspector Todor Mishinev of the Yambol Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Nova TV: "Right now, the priority is rescue operations. Once they are completed, the procedural and investigative actions will be carried out."

How the toll rose

Reuters reported earlier, citing BTA and Yambol Regional Governor Georgi Chalakov, that at least 10 people had been killed, about 50 vehicles were involved and 27 injured people had been taken to regional hospitals, with some people still trapped in their cars.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev later told reporters: "The toll at this point is 11 dead and 48 injured." Radev said the crashes occurred amid a sudden onset of dense fog and slippery road conditions. Bulgarian National Radio put the injured figure from the same press conference at 49.

Health Minister Ivkova then gave the higher figure. She said 10 people died at the scene and two others died while being transported to hospital, for at least 12 dead. She said 46 other people were transported to medical facilities for treatment.

Rescue, hospitals and warnings

The injured were taken to hospitals in Sliven, Yambol and Burgas. The government aircraft was diverted to Burgas to transport some of the injured, and a military Spartan transport aircraft was also dispatched, BTA reported.

The BG-ALERT emergency notification system was activated across the districts of Yambol, Sliven and Burgas to warn drivers of the dangerous conditions and give diversion routes.

The National Centre for Transfusion Haematology appealed to eligible people across the country to donate blood, BTA reported.

Meetings cancelled as leaders head to the scene

The government meeting scheduled for Nov 10 was cancelled, along with the Varna events planned for the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Radev left his meeting with von der Leyen to head to the scene. President Iliana Yotova cut short her participation in the Paris Peace Forum to return to Bulgaria.

Romanian Foreign Minister Dan Neculaescu said one Romanian was among the injured and expressed condolences. European Council chief Antonio Costa said on X that he was deeply saddened by the accident.

Bulgaria's road safety record

Bulgaria recorded 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants in 2025, the highest rate in the European Union, according to European Commission figures. 456 people were killed in road traffic accidents in Bulgaria in 2025.