Massive Highway Pileup in Eastern Bulgaria Leaves 11 Dead and 50 Injured

A massive multi-vehicle pileup on a heavy fog-shrouded highway in eastern Bulgaria has left 11 people dead and dozens injured, authorities said Tuesday.

The catastrophic collision occurred on the A1 highway connecting the capital Sofia to the eastern coastal city of Bourgas. According to the Bulgarian Interior Ministry, 50 injured individuals were rushed to various hospitals for medical treatment. Dramatic images from the scene showed widespread destruction, with cars and trucks mangled across all six lanes, some overturned or pushed onto the shoulders.

Emergency responders, including police, firefighters, and ambulances, rushed to the site of the disaster. Ministry Secretary-General Lyubomir Nikolov told reporters at the scene that dense fog was likely the primary cause of the initial crash, which began as a collision between a bus and a truck.

Chief Police Inspector Todor Mishinev of the Yambol region told local television network Nova that victims remained trapped inside crushed vehicles. Emergency personnel prioritized ongoing rescue operations before procedural and investigative measures could begin.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the incident as a national tragedy during an official visit by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Radev announced that aviation assets had been deployed to evacuate the wounded and confirmed plans to visit the crash site personally.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced she would cut short her visit to the country following the disaster. "I wish to express my deepest condolences and pay tribute to the rescue teams," she stated.