At least 12 killed in 50-vehicle pile-up on Bulgarian motorway amid fog

At least 12 people died and about 50 others were injured in multiple crashes involving around 50 vehicles on the Trakia motorway in southeastern Bulgaria, according to reports from Al Jazeera English and BBC World.

The crashes occurred amid dense fog and poor visibility, which officials believe contributed to the pile-ups on both the eastbound and Sofia-bound carriageways, as reported by BBC and Al Jazeera.

Health Minister Katya Ivkova stated that 11 people died at the scene near the town of Zimnitsa, with another person dying later in hospital. Approximately 46 to 50 injured individuals were taken to hospitals for treatment.

Bulgarian authorities closed the motorway in both directions until the wreckage was cleared, noting that wet road surfaces and unsuitable speeds for the conditions were factors, according to the BBC and Al Jazeera.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev declared a day of national mourning and described the incident as a tragedy. The crashes happened on the route connecting Sofia to the Black Sea port of Burgas.

The Yambol regional governor said the first reports of the crashes came early in the morning, and emergency services dispatched aircraft and medical teams to assist the injured, according to Al Jazeera.