SOFIA, November 10, 2026 — Bulgaria is facing a major road safety emergency after two devastating multiple-vehicle collisions occurred on the Trakia Motorway, involving dozens of cars, buses, vans and heavy goods vehicles.

The crashes happened on Tuesday morning near the Zimnitsa junction in the Yambol region of southeastern Bulgaria. Local officials reported that more than 10 people had died, while numerous others sustained serious injuries.

Around 50 vehicles were reportedly involved in the two separate pile-ups, which brought traffic to a standstill in both directions of one of Bulgaria’s major highways.

Dense Fog Suspected Behind the Deadly Collisions

Initial reports suggest that extremely poor visibility caused by thick fog may have contributed to the accidents.

The first collision was reported at approximately 7:10 a.m. near kilometre 289 of the motorway, on the carriageway towards Burgas.

A second major pile-up occurred shortly afterwards on the opposite carriageway towards Sofia.

Drivers in the area described visibility as extremely limited, making it difficult to identify vehicles and react to sudden changes in traffic conditions.

Wet road surfaces and driving speeds that may not have been appropriate for the weather conditions are also being considered as possible contributing factors.

Authorities have not yet established a final cause for the crashes.

Around 50 Vehicles Reportedly Involved

The scale of the accidents created a major challenge for emergency responders.

Reports indicate that the collisions involved passenger cars, minibuses, buses and heavy transport vehicles. Some vehicles were severely damaged, while at least one truck reportedly caught fire.

The incidents occurred in close succession, leaving emergency personnel with multiple accident locations to manage.

The severity of the destruction prompted authorities to coordinate a large-scale rescue and medical operation.

Emergency Services Mobilise Across Four Regions

Police officers, firefighters and medical teams from Yambol, Sliven, Burgas and Stara Zagora were deployed to assist at the accident sites.

Bulgaria’s BG-Alert emergency notification system was activated to warn motorists about the dangerous situation and advise them to avoid the affected motorway section.

Military assistance was also arranged to support emergency operations.

A Spartan military transport aircraft was placed on standby at Burgas Airport to help transfer critically injured patients to hospitals in Plovdiv and Sofia if required.

Hospitals in the affected region prepared additional medical resources to deal with the influx of casualties.

Trakia Motorway Closed in Both Directions

Following the crashes, authorities suspended traffic between the Zimnitsa and Kabile junctions.

The closure was necessary to allow rescue teams to reach injured people, remove damaged vehicles and secure the accident area.

Motorists were redirected through alternative roads, including routes via Nova Zagora, Sliven and the Sofia-Burgas road.

The disruption created significant traffic difficulties for drivers travelling between Sofia and Bulgaria’s Black Sea region.

Authorities advised motorists to follow police instructions and avoid attempting to enter the restricted area.

Conflicting Death Toll Reports as Investigation Continues

The reported number of fatalities changed as emergency teams continued their work.

Yambol regional officials were quoted in local media as reporting more than 10 deaths. However, an earlier report from BGNES, citing Bulgarian National Radio, gave a figure of five fatalities and 10 seriously injured people.

The difference highlights the rapidly developing nature of the emergency and the need to await an authoritative consolidated casualty report.

Investigators will also examine the sequence of collisions, road conditions, visibility and the actions of drivers involved.

A Serious Reminder About Driving in Poor Weather

The tragedy highlights the dangers of driving on high-speed roads during periods of extremely limited visibility.

Dense fog can reduce reaction time, make it difficult to judge distances and increase the risk of chain-reaction collisions.

Road safety specialists generally advise motorists to reduce speed, increase following distances, use appropriate vehicle lighting and avoid sudden braking when visibility deteriorates.

For Bulgaria, the immediate priority remains providing medical assistance, completing rescue operations and establishing the full circumstances surrounding the two crashes.

The incident is likely to renew public attention on motorway safety, emergency response capabilities and the risks associated with driving in severe weather.