In Bulgaria, 12 people were killed and 46 others injured in two major pile-up accidents on a motorway in the eastern part of the country today, amid dense fog.
Health Minister Katya Ivkova said thick fog on the motorway connecting the capital Sofia with the Black Sea port of Burgas triggered the accidents, involving around 86 vehicles, including several heavy trucks.
The crashes occurred on opposite carriageways at the same location, forcing the closure of the road in both directions.
The Minister said 10 people died at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries while being transported to hospital. Forty-six injured people were taken to medical facilities for treatment.
The accidents also disrupted the schedules of top leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is on a working visit to Bulgaria, had to adjust her programme after Prime Minister Rumen Radev left to visit the accident site.
Meanwhile, President Iliana Yotova is cutting short her participation in the Paris Peace Forum and returning to Bulgaria.
