Bulgaria Approves $8,900 Aid for Families of 11 Killed in Highway Pile-Ups
Jerusalem, 11 November, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – A one-time social assistance payment of EUR 8,000 ($8,900) will be made to the families and heirs of those who died in Tuesday’s pile-ups on the Trakia Motorway in southeastern Bulgaria, Minister of Labour and Social Policy Nataliya Efremova told reporters after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. The decision was adopted by the Council of Ministers.
Eleven people were killed and 51 were hospitalized after two major pile-ups involving 86 vehicles on the Trakia Motorway near the Zimnitsa junction in Yambol Region on Tuesday, prompting a large-scale emergency response, a national day of mourning and an investigation into the causes of the crashes. The crashes occurred amid dense morning fog, which severely restricted visibility and hampered rescue operations.
The aid will be provided through the Social Assistance directorates, and the funds will be approved as extraordinary expenditures in the budget of the Labour Ministry. They are expected to be paid out within a few days once the families and their addresses have been identified, Efremova explained. The funds are intended to cover their immediate needs following the tragedy.
The families of those injured in the crashes may also contact the Social Assistance directorates in their place of residence for specific consultation regarding the possibilities for receiving one-time social assistance, the Minister noted.
People in need of psychological support can be referred by the offices to social services in their municipalities, where they can receive free psychological assistance. These are the three forms of support that the Ministry will provide to those affected by the tragic accident, said Efremova.
On the day of national mourning, the Minister expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased and her hope for a speedy recovery for the injured. She thanked the bystanders, volunteers, and police officers who provided assistance at the scene, as well as the medical professionals who are caring for the injured.
