At least 12 killed and dozens injured in Bulgaria highway pileup

At least 12 people were killed and dozens more injured in a series of crashes on both sides of a highway in Bulgaria on Tuesday, Bulgarian authorities said.

According to the interior ministry, a bus and truck collided, leading to a pileup on the side of the A1 highway near the southeastern city of Yambol.

Speaking to reporters at the site, the ministry's general secretary, Ministry Lyubomir Nikolov, said that fog was likely the cause of the accident.

The regional governor of Yambol, Georgi Chalakov, said an estimated 50 cars and trucks were involved in the accident.

Health Minister Katya Ivkova said 10 people "died on the spot" and two others died while being transported to a hospital. She said 46 people were also injured and transported to medical facilities.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who was welcoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, cleared his schedule for later Tuesday. Von der Leyen said she would cut her visit short.

Police, firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the scene on the A1 highway connecting the capital Sofia to the Black Sea city of Burgas.

Chief Inspector Todor Mishinev from the Yambol Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs told Nova TV that people were still trapped in their cars at the time of speaking.

"Right now, the priority is rescue operations. Once they are completed, the procedural and investigative actions will be carried out," he said.

The injured were being taken to hospitals in nearby cities, while authorities dispatched two aircraft carrying medical teams and stretcher equipment.

Local media images showed cars and trucks scattered across six lanes of highway, with many vehicles mangled, overturned or forced off the road.

Bulgaria saw 71 road fatalities per million inhabitants in 2025, the highest rate in the European Union, according to European Commission figures. For orientation, the EU average is 43 per million.

The sources state that victims say reckless driving, neglected road infrastructure and an inefficient justice system contribute to the country's high number of fatal traffic accidents.

Sources

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