The accident occurred Tuesday morning near Yambol on the route connecting Sofia and Burgas, when dense fog severely reduced visibility. Approximately 50 vehicles, including cars and trucks, were involved in the collision, according to the regional governor. Bulgarian television showed overturned, burned, and mangled vehicles at the scene.
Prime Minister Roumen Radev, who had just met with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, canceled other engagements to travel to the scene. Radev announced the provisional balance of the disaster: 11 dead and 48 injured. "The provisional balance is 11 dead and 48 injured," Radev stated.
The physical destruction was significant, with emergency response teams working to manage the immediate aftermath. Twelve of the injured were treated at Yambol Hospital, with many in serious condition, while others were transferred to Burgas and Sliven. The regional governor stated that approximately 50 vehicles were involved, confirming the scale of the chain-reaction pileup.
The tragedy near Yambol underscores a persistent issue for the country.
The tragedy near Yambol underscores a persistent issue for the country. Bulgaria holds the sad record of having the most deadly roads in the EU. In 2025, the road traffic mortality rate in Bulgaria stood at 71 deaths per million inhabitants. For perspective, this is significantly higher than Sweden, which recorded 19 deaths per million in the same period. The fog was the immediate trigger for the incident, but these statistics highlight the broader challenges facing road safety in the region.