86 Vehicles Collide in Massive Bulgaria Highway Pile-Up, at Least 12 Killed

A devastating road accident in eastern Bulgaria has claimed at least 12 lives and left dozens of people injured after 86 vehicles were involved in a series of collisions on a major motorway.

The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, November 10, 2026, on the Trakia Motorway near the Zimnitsa junction in the Yambol region. The motorway connects Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, with the Black Sea coastal city of Burgas.

According to initial reports from Bulgarian authorities, extremely dense fog significantly reduced visibility on the highway, creating dangerous driving conditions. The collisions began at approximately 7:00 a.m., when vehicles travelling along the motorway became involved in a chain of crashes.

The Bulgarian Interior Ministry confirmed that 86 vehicles were involved in the incident. Of these, 63 were travelling towards Burgas, while another 23 were heading in the direction of Sofia.

The vehicles included passenger cars, buses and heavy goods trucks. Several vehicles overturned or were severely damaged during the collisions, leaving a large amount of debris scattered across the motorway.

Emergency Teams Launch Major Rescue Operation

Police officers, firefighters, ambulance crews and other emergency personnel were immediately dispatched to the accident site.

Rescue workers faced considerable difficulties reaching injured passengers because of the number of damaged vehicles and the extent of the destruction.

At least 12 people were reported dead, while approximately 46 to 50 others were injured and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Some victims sustained serious injuries and required intensive medical attention.

Hospitals in the regions of Yambol, Sliven and Burgas received injured passengers. Medical teams were placed on emergency alert to ensure that those in critical condition could receive immediate treatment.

Military transport aircraft and additional medical resources were also made available to support the emergency response.

Highway Closed in Both Directions

Following the disaster, authorities temporarily closed the Trakia Motorway in both directions to allow rescue operations and an investigation into the incident.

Traffic was redirected through alternative routes, while police urged motorists to exercise extreme caution because of the continuing fog and hazardous road conditions.

The extensive damage and the large number of vehicles involved meant that clearing the motorway was expected to take considerable time.

Investigation Underway

Bulgarian authorities have launched an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the disaster.

Preliminary assessments indicate that sudden dense fog, wet road conditions and driving speeds unsuitable for the visibility may have contributed to the collisions.

Investigators are also examining how the initial crash developed into two major pile-ups involving dozens of vehicles travelling in opposite directions.

The incident has raised serious concerns about motorway safety during periods of extremely poor visibility.

Government Responds to the Tragedy

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and directed government agencies to provide necessary assistance to the injured.

Emergency services and healthcare authorities continue to coordinate their response as investigators work to determine the full circumstances of one of the country's most serious recent motorway disasters.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of driving in dense fog, particularly on busy highways where reduced visibility can quickly lead to major accidents.