At least 12 killed in motorway pile-up in southeastern Bulgaria
At least 12 killed in motorway pile-up in southeastern Bulgaria
At least 12 people were killed on November 10, 2026, when a pile-up involving an estimated 50 cars and trucks took place on a motorway in southeastern Bulgaria, Al Jazeera reported.
The crashes happened near Yambol, on the route linking the capital, Sofia, with the Black Sea port of Burgas. Thick fog caused vehicles to crash into one another. A motorway is a major high-speed road, and this stretch was closed in both directions after the collisions.
Yambol region governor Georgi Chalakov said an estimated 50 cars and trucks were involved in the accidents. Bulgarian Health Minister Katya Ivkova said 10 people died on the spot and two died while being taken to hospital. Forty-six people were transported to medical facilities for treatment.
The Bulgarian government sent two aircraft fitted with stretchers and staffed by medical teams after the crash. Prime Minister Rumen Radev cancelled official events scheduled for later on November 10.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was visiting Bulgaria and meeting Radev on the same day. The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union.
Road safety has been a long-running concern in the country. In 2025, Bulgaria recorded 71 road deaths per million inhabitants, the highest rate in the EU, according to European Commission figures.
