Massive crash on Trakia highway in Bulgaria: 12 dead, over 70 vehicles involved

Massive disaster on the Trakia highway

In the region of the Bulgarian city of Yambol, a series of massive chain collisions occurred on the Trakia highway, affecting both directions of traffic. As a result of the accidents, which involved over 70 vehicles, 12 people died, and another 50 sustained various injuries.

The incident was reported by Bulgarian media outlets bTV and the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA).

Circumstances of the accident

Preliminary data indicates that the chain reaction was initiated by a collision between two passenger cars, which caught fire after the impact. This triggered a cascade of further collisions in both directions.

The first accident was recorded at the 289th kilometre of the highway in the direction of the city of Burgas. The second occurred at the 294th kilometre, before the "Zimnitsa" junction, in the direction of the capital, Sofia.

The disaster involved passenger and cargo vehicles, as well as one bus. One of the causes of the accidents was dense fog, which significantly limited visibility for drivers.

Update on casualties

Bulgarian Health Minister Katya Ivkova initially reported 11 fatalities: ten people died at the scene, and one more victim died in Yambol hospital. However, the outlet BGNES later reported that the number of fatalities had risen to 12, and the number of injured to 50.