Fatal multi-vehicle pileup in eastern Bulgaria

On Tuesday morning, November 10, 2026, a massive multi-vehicle collision occurred on the A1 highway near the city of Yambol in eastern Bulgaria, resulting in at least 11 deaths and 50 injuries. The incident, which involved approximately 50 cars and trucks across six lanes, was reportedly triggered by a collision between a bus and a truck under conditions of extremely poor visibility caused by thick fog.

Emergency response efforts involve the Ministry of Interior, firefighters, and military personnel. The injured have been transported to hospitals in Yambol, Sliven, and Burgas. Prime Minister Rumen Radev has deployed military Spartan aircraft to evacuate critically wounded victims to specialized medical facilities in the capital, Sofia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was visiting the country at the time, expressed condolences and cut short her official trip.

Authorities have closed the A1 highway in both directions to facilitate rescue operations and initial investigations. General Secretary of the Interior Ministry, Lyubomir Nikolov, confirmed that the accident was likely exacerbated by the hazardous weather conditions. The government has mobilized significant state resources to manage the aftermath of this incident as medical teams continue to treat those affected.