Bulgaria is observing Wednesday, Nov. 11, as a national day of mourning after two pile-ups on the Trakia Motorway killed 12 people and injured dozens. The declaration followed a rapidly changing casualty count after the crashes near Zimnitsa in southeastern Bulgaria.

Two pile-ups closed the Trakia Motorway

The crashes occurred on Nov. 10 on opposite carriageways of the motorway, which connects Sofia with the Black Sea port of Burgas. Bulgarian authorities said 86 vehicles were involved. A sudden bank of dense fog and a wet road were among the conditions cited in early accounts, while police opened an investigation into the collisions.

The second pile-up happened on the carriageway in the opposite direction after drivers slowed while looking toward the first crash, according to Bulgaria’s public broadcaster, Radio Bulgaria. Investigators had not announced a final determination of the causes in the reports reviewed for this article.

Officials reported 12 deaths as the toll changed

Health Minister Katya Ivkova told reporters that 12 people had died, including two who died while being taken to hospital, the Associated Press reported. A later Radio Bulgaria update said around 50 injured people were being treated in hospitals. Earlier official figures differed as emergency services continued their response.

Bulgaria’s national day of mourning was declared in memory of those killed. Radio Bulgaria also reported that the National Centre for Transfusion Haematology appealed for eligible people to donate blood. The declaration and appeal are the latest public response to the crashes as the investigation continues.

Further coverage of international developments is available in The Globuzz World section.

Sources

Radio Bulgaria, “Bulgaria declares Day of National Mourning for victims of motorway pile-up”; Associated Press, “At least 12 people killed and dozens hurt in crashes on a foggy Bulgarian motorway”.