Today Bulgaria is mourning the victims of the devastating chain-reaction crashes on the Trakiya highway. A day of national mourning has been declared in their memory. Flags at government institutions are flown at half-mast. Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev has cancelled all public, cultural and entertainment events in the capital.

A total of 86 vehicles were involved in the two accidents. Eleven people lost their lives and dozens were injured. At the time of the crashes, the area was shrouded in dense fog and the road surface was wet.

As a sign of solidarity, the flags of Bulgaria and the European Union have also been lowered to half-mast outside the European Parliament buildings in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola wrote on X: "The European Parliament mourns with Bulgaria. In grief. In solidarity. In memory of those who lost their lives."

The Prime Minister announced that financial compensation would be provided to the families affected by the tragedy. The Minister of Labour and Social Policy is expected to present details of the planned assistance. The Council of Ministers began its meeting with a minute of silence. The government will also discuss options for providing additional support.

Members of Parliament also began their regular session with a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the tragic crashes. Before the session, Parliament Speaker Mihaela Dotsova expressed her condolences to the victims' families:

"Yesterday, Bulgaria woke up to the news of a terrible accident. Our thoughts are with the families. On behalf of the 52nd National Assembly, I extend my deepest condolences. Let us honour their memory with a minute of silence."

Редактор: Калина Петкова