At least 12 killed in two fog pile-ups on Bulgaria’s Trakia motorway near Yambol
Health Minister Katya Ivkova said 12 people were killed and 46 taken for treatment after two fog-related pile-ups closed the Trakia motorway near Yambol on Tuesday morning, BTA reported. Prime Minister Rumen Radev had earlier put the toll at 11 dead and 48 injured.
Twelve people were killed in two pile-ups that closed the Trakia motorway in both directions near the Zimnitsa junction outside Yambol, in south-eastern Bulgaria, on Tuesday morning, 10 November 2026, Health Minister Katya Ivkova said, according to the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). Ten people died at the scene and two others in hospital, she told journalists in Sliven. Forty-six patients were taken for treatment, and she said the situation was still evolving. Prime Minister Rumen Radev had earlier put the toll at 11 dead and 48 injured, Euronews reported. The Associated Press also reported at least 12 people killed.
Video from the scene:
The crashes were on opposite carriageways, at kilometre 289 towards Burgas and kilometre 294 towards Sofia. Yambol Regional Governor Georgi Chalakov said the first report came in at 7:10 a.m. The Interior Ministry said dense fog had reduced visibility. Regional Road Administration Director Galin Kostov also cited the wet road surface and speeds unsuitable for the conditions. Officials first estimated about 50 vehicles were involved; Sliven Regional Governor Mihail Kasherov later said more than 70.
The motorway is closed in both directions between the Zimnitsa and Kabile junctions and is expected to remain closed for a prolonged period, the Road Infrastructure Agency said. Injured people were taken to hospitals in Yambol, Sliven and Burgas. Radev cancelled his remaining engagements in Varna after a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and a government aircraft and military Spartan transport planes were put on standby to fly the badly injured to Sofia if needed, BTA reported.
This article includes social and official video from the scene, also published as a Today News Brief Facebook reel. Footage: @transbulgaria; Radio 999 via @KalendarNews; BTA via @sofiagrad.