Bulgaria declares Day of National Mourning for victims of motorway pile-up

The Bulgaria Council of Ministers will declare tomorrow, 11 November, a Day of National Mourning for the victims of the heavy pile-up on Trakia Motorway earlier this morning. According to the latest figures, 12 people have been killed and around 50 injured are being treated in hospitals in Burgas, Sliven and Yambol

“A dark day for the whole of Bulgaria.” This was how Prime Minister Rumen Radev described the two serious accidents involving 86 vehicles, which led to the closure of the Trakia Motorway in both directions this morning.

The main cause of the severe chain-reaction crashes on the Trakia Motorway was the sudden onset of dense fog. The first pile-up occurred on the carriageway towards Burgas. In the opposite direction, a second chain-reaction crash was triggered by drivers slowing down after witnessing the first accident. This was announced by Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev, who arrived at the scene. Police officers and medical personnel had to carry the injured on stretchers, as ambulances were unable to reach the centre of the collision. Hospitals responded appropriately and medical assistance was provided promptly, the minister said.

The National Centre for Transfusion Haematology has called on people across the country who are eligible to donate blood to visit their nearest blood donation centre and give blood.

In connection with the incident, the Interior Minister also pointed to systemic shortcomings in the management of road safety in Bulgaria. There is no integrated connection between the cameras of the toll system and the Traffic Police. Electronic information boards to warn drivers of hazardous conditions are also lacking. Preventive action was impossible in the absence of these systems. Both the road markings and the asphalt at the accident site are to be examined.

In response to the tragedy, President Iliana Iotova has cut short her participation in the Paris Peace Forum and is returning to Bulgaria. She has expressed her condolences to the relatives and families of those who lost their lives.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova