Bulgarian prosecutors interview witnesses following fatal highway collision

Bulgarian prosecutors have released the Romanian truck driver detained after a fatal Trakia highway pileup, following the questioning of 44 witnesses.
Bulgarian authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding Tuesday's multi-vehicle crash on the Trakia highway, which resulted in up to 12 fatalities and scores of injuries. Following the interview of 44 witnesses, prosecutors decided to release the Romanian truck driver initially detained in connection with the incident.
Investigators are determining whether the heavy goods vehicle operated at an unusually low speed or stopped abruptly, initiating the pileup during severe fog. Official casualty figures vary slightly across reports, indicating between 11 and 12 deaths and 50 to more than 70 injured. Emergency services worked overnight to clear the roadway as Bulgaria observed a national day of mourning for the victims.
Sources: Digi24, HotNews, Moldova1, TV8, Ziarul de Gardă
Sources
- HotNews — Șofer român, reținut după accidentul în lanț cu 12 morți și zeci de răniți din Bulgaria. Ce le-a spus anchetatorilor
- Digi24 — Șofer de TIR român reținut după accidentul grav din Bulgaria. Cum arată autostrada Trakia la o zi după tragedie
- Moldova1 — Zi de doliu în Bulgaria: Un șofer român ar fi provocat accidentul în lanț soldat cu 11 morți și a fost reținut
- TV8 — Tragedia de pe o autostradă din Bulgaria: Un șofer român de camion a fost reținut. Primele declarații
- Ziarul de Gardă — Șoferul român reținut după accidentul în lanț cu 12 morți și zeci de răniți din Bulgaria va fi eliberat. Ce le-a spus anchetatorilor
Earlier coverage
- Nov 15, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCRomanian truck driver released following deadly collision on Bulgaria's Trakia highway
- Nov 15, 2026, 04:00 AM UTCRomanian truck driver set for release as investigation into Bulgarian highway crash continues
- Nov 14, 2026, 11:00 PM UTCRomanian truck driver detained following deadly Bulgarian highway pileup
- Nov 14, 2026, 05:30 PM UTCRomanian truck driver to be released following deadly highway crash in Bulgaria
- Nov 14, 2026, 11:30 AM UTCRomanian truck driver detained following deadly multi-vehicle crash in Bulgaria
- Nov 14, 2026, 04:30 AM UTCRomanian truck driver set for release as Bulgarian investigators probe fatal highway pileup
- Nov 14, 2026, 12:00 AM UTCBulgarian prosecutors query Romanian trucker in fatal Trakia highway pileup
- Nov 13, 2026, 06:00 PM UTCRomanian truck driver released following deadly Bulgarian highway pileup
- Nov 13, 2026, 06:00 AM UTCBulgarian prosecutors release Romanian truck driver detained after fatal Trakia highway pileup
- Nov 12, 2026, 11:30 PM UTCBulgarian authorities set to release Romanian driver in fatal highway crash investigation