A dozen people have died after dozens of vehicles collided in two pile-ups on the Trakia motorway in south-eastern Bulgaria, according to Prime Minister Rumen Radev.
Health Minister Katya Ivkova said eleven people died at the scene on Tuesday near the town of Zimnitsa, and one more person later died in hospital. Around 50 others were admitted with injuries. Sliven regional governor Mihail Kasherov said more than 70 vehicles were caught up in the incident.
Fog blamed for both collisions
Officials said thick fog reduced visibility and was the likely cause of the first crash, which happened on the eastbound carriageway. The second collision, on the lane heading towards Sofia, was also probably linked to the fog, with drivers distracted by the first accident, an official said.
Road administration director Galin Kostov said vehicles were travelling at speeds unsuited to the conditions, which also included wet road surfaces. The motorway will stay closed until it has been cleared.
The Trakia runs from west to east across Bulgaria, linking the capital, Sofia, with the Black Sea coast.
Rescue efforts hampered by fog and barriers
Yambol regional governor Georgi Chalakov said the first reports came in at 07:10 local time (05:10 GMT). The injured were taken by ambulance to hospitals in the Yambol, Sliven and Burgas regions.
Chalakov told the state news agency that rescue teams had to remove sections of the crash barrier to reach people. He added that the fog meant helicopters could not be used in the evacuation.
One witness who helped rescue a man from a burning vehicle blamed “very thick fog” for the pile-up. “I got out of the car, I ran forward and pulled that man out,” the witness said.
Another witness said “many, many people died”. That witness said four trucks had been behind their vehicle and did not know how they had escaped, but was thankful to still be alive.
Radev cuts short visit and declares mourning
Radev, who had been hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, cut short a news conference after learning of the incident and visited the scene. He declared Wednesday a day of national mourning following the crash.
