At least 12 people were killed and 50 others injured Tuesday morning when thick fog triggered a devastating series of highway crashes involving 86 vehicles in Bulgaria, leaving cars and trucks mangled, overturned and scattered across the roadway.
The deadly disaster unfolded November 10 around 7 a.m. on the A1 Trakia Highway near Yambol, approximately 75 miles from the Black Sea coastal city of Burgas.
According to authorities, a sudden blanket of dense fog severely reduced visibility, setting off two massive pileups on opposite sides of the busy highway connecting Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, with Burgas.
The first crash occurred in the eastbound lanes when a truck reportedly blocked the path of a passenger bus, triggering a chain reaction involving dozens of vehicles.
As drivers struggled to see through the thick fog, vehicles began slamming into one another, leaving little time for motorists to react.
A second pileup quickly followed in the opposite lanes, potentially involving drivers distracted by the unfolding disaster across the highway.
In total, 63 vehicles were involved in the eastbound crash, while another 23 collided on the westbound side.
The aftermath was devastating.
Photographs and video from the scene showed crushed cars, overturned trucks and vehicles with extensive fire damage scattered across the highway. Some victims were initially trapped in the wreckage as emergency crews rushed to reach them.
One survivor described the terrifying moment a truck struck his vehicle from behind after traffic suddenly came to a halt.
“I stopped too, roughly alongside the bus,” the unidentified driver told the Associated Press. “Then a red truck slammed into us from behind.”
The man said he realized the truck was not slowing down and warned his colleague to brace for impact.
The collision sent their vehicle crashing into a guardrail and another car. They managed to escape just before additional vehicles began piling up behind them.
Emergency responders faced enormous challenges as they worked through the wreckage.
Firefighters, police officers and medical personnel rushed to the highway, while rescue teams removed sections of guardrail to reach injured motorists.
The fog was so severe that a medical helicopter was initially unable to land, forcing emergency teams to rely on ground transportation.
Bulgarian Health Minister Katya Ivkova reported that 10 people were pronounced dead at the scene, with two additional victims dying while being transported for medical care.
Dozens of injured survivors were rushed to hospitals in Yambol, Sliven and Burgas, including patients suffering from serious injuries.
Regional officials described the destruction as unlike anything they had previously witnessed.
The highway was closed in both directions as investigators examined the crash sites and crews worked to clear the wreckage.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev called the disaster a national tragedy and traveled to the scene, while the government mobilized additional emergency resources to assist victims.
The catastrophe also disrupted a visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who changed her schedule following news of the deadly crashes.
Authorities believe the sudden fog, slippery pavement and driving speeds unsuitable for the conditions all contributed to the disaster. However, the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.
Officials have launched separate investigations into the two pileups to determine how the collisions unfolded and whether any traffic violations played a role.
Bulgaria has declared Wednesday, November 11, a day of national mourning for the victims.
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