At least 11 people have been killed after dozens of cars and lorries were involved in two pile-ups on the Trakia motorway in south-eastern Bulgaria.
Health Minister Katya Ivkova said 10 people died at the scene, near the town of Zimnitsa, and one more died in hospital. A further 46 people were injured. Sliven region governor Mihail Kasherov told journalists at the scene that more than 70 vehicles were involved.
Officials said dense fog reduced visibility and was the likely cause of the first crash, which occurred on the eastbound carriageway. The second crash, on the Sofia-bound carriageway, was likely also caused by the fog, with drivers also distracted by the first crash, an official said.
Road administration director Galin Kostov said speeds were unsuitable for the conditions, which included wet road surfaces. The motorway will remain closed until it has been cleared.
Yambol regional governor Georgi Chalakov said the first reports came in at 7:10am local time (5:10am GMT), and the injured were taken by ambulance to hospitals in the Yambol, Sliven and Burgas regions. He said rescue teams had to remove sections of the crash barrier to reach people, and the fog meant helicopters could not be used in the evacuation efforts.
The Trakia motorway runs from west to east across Bulgaria and cuts through the capital, Sofia.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev, who had been hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, cut short a news conference after the news.
Source: BBC
