45 people killed as bus catches fire in Bulgaria
Vehicle hits highway guard rail, crashes and catches fire; children among victims
Sofia, Bulgaria: A bus crash in western Bulgaria early Tuesday has killed at least 45 people, authorities said.
The bus, registered in North Macedonia, crashed around 2am and there were children among the victims, authorities said. Seven people were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The cause of the crash was not immediately confirmed, but it appeared that the bus hit a highway guard rail, crashed and caught fire.
Officials said an investigation will be launched.
Bulgarian news agency Novinite said representatives from North Macedonia’s embassy visited a hospital where some of the victims were taken.
Bulgarian Caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev visited the site of the crash and told reporters it was ``a huge tragedy.’’
“I take this opportunity to send my condolences to the relatives of the victims,’’ Yanev said. “Let’s hope we learn lessons from this tragic incident and we can prevent such incidents in the future.’’
Oliver Varhelyi, a European Union Commissioner, sent his condolences to the families and friends of those affected by the crash.
“Terrible news about the tragic bus accident in Bulgaria in early morning hours,’’ Varhelyi wrote online. ``My thoughts & condolences are with the families and friends of those who died as well as with the people and the authorities of North Macedonia.’’
In 2019, Bulgaria, an EU nation of 7 million, had the second-highest road fatality rate in the 27-nation bloc with 89 people killed per million population, according to European Commission data.