Dense Fog Triggers Massive Highway Pile-Up in Bulgaria Leaving Multiple Dead and Injured

At least 11 people have died and dozens of others sustained injuries after thick fog caused a massive multi-vehicle pile-up involving roughly 50 to 70 vehicles on a major highway in Bulgaria.

The catastrophic series of crashes occurred on the Trakia motorway, which connects the capital city of Sofia to the eastern coastal hub of Burgas, near the city of Yambol. Severely reduced visibility caused by heavy morning fog led to consecutive chain-reaction collisions on both sides of the roadway, trapping multiple motorists inside crushed and burning automobiles.

Emergency Response and Rescue Operations

Local authorities, police, firefighters, and numerous ambulance crews rushed to the scene immediately following reports of the collisions. Emergency personnel prioritised freeing drivers and passengers trapped in wrecked and overturned vehicles, with some cars catching fire during the pile-up.

Regional hospitals mobilised to receive the injured victims, while authorities completely closed the highway in both directions to clear the wreckage. Senior officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that rescue teams worked intensively at the disaster zone to secure the area and evacuate casualties.

Government Intervention and Investigation

The scale of the disaster prompted a swift high-level response from the state administration. Prime Minister Rumen Radev cancelled his scheduled official engagements and deployed military transport aircraft to airlift critical patients directly to specialised medical facilities in Sofia.

A dedicated crisis task force has been convened to manage the aftermath. Law enforcement agencies stated that detailed investigative and procedural actions will follow once clearance and medical rescue operations are fully concluded.