Fatal multi-vehicle collision on Ruse-Sofia highway near Maslarevo

Maslarevo accident Ruse-Sofia highway Erasmus students multi-vehicle collision Bulgaria road safety

A severe multi-vehicle accident involving two trucks and an international bus occurred on the Ruse-Sofia highway near the village of Maslarevo, Bulgaria, on October 28. The collision began with a head-on crash between two heavy goods vehicles—one with Bulgarian registration and one with Hungarian registration—which subsequently caught fire. An international bus traveling from Bucharest to Thessaloniki, carrying 36 Erasmus students and two drivers, then struck the burning trucks and also caught fire.

Two truck drivers were killed in the incident. The bus passengers, including 32 foreign nationals from countries such as the US, Norway, Serbia, and Japan, managed to evacuate the burning vehicle by breaking side windows, preventing mass casualties. Most students were asleep at the time of the impact. Authorities have established a crisis center in Polski Trâmbesh to provide food, water, and assistance to the survivors.

The Veliko Tarnovo District Prosecutor's Office is investigating five primary hypotheses: driver fatigue, sudden health issues, technical failure, exhaustion, and speeding. Investigators are also examining road conditions and using GPS data to determine vehicle speeds. One of the involved trucks reportedly had an expired technical inspection, which is currently being verified. The regional road administration is considering new traffic organization projects and speed limits for the section.

Entities

Erasmus · Erasmus Program · Maslarevo · Polski Trâmbesh · Ruse-Sofia Highway · Ruse-Sofia road · Ruse–Sofia highway · Strahilovo · Veliko Tarnovo · Veliko Tarnovo District Prosecutor's Office

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] Two truck drivers died in the collision near Maslarevo. www.oblastvt.bg · www.pbnovini.com · www.tarnovonews.com · tritegrada.eu · www.borbabg.com · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The bus driver tested negative for alcohol and drugs. www.tarnovonews.com · www.borbabg.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The accident occurred around 02:30 on October 28. www.pbnovini.com · www.tarnovonews.com · www.borbabg.com · petel.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] The prosecutor is investigating five versions: fatigue, health issues, technical failure, exhaustion, and speeding. www.oblastvt.bg · www.standartnews.com
[● 5 SOURCES] The bus was traveling on the Bucharest-Thessaloniki route. www.oblastvt.bg · www.pbnovini.com · tritegrada.eu · www.borbabg.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The road section was repaired in 2024. www.oblastvt.bg
[● 6 SOURCES] The bus passengers evacuated by breaking side windows. www.pbnovini.com · www.tarnovonews.com · tritegrada.eu · petel.bg · www.standartnews.com
[● 8 SOURCES] The bus was carrying 36 Erasmus students and two drivers. www.oblastvt.bg · www.pbnovini.com · www.tarnovonews.com · tritegrada.eu · www.borbabg.com · +1 more