Sliven municipal council today voted to pay €2,000 in one-off aid to the families of each of the five people from the municipality who died in the chain crashes on the Trakia motorway near Yambol. The money comes from the municipal budget. Mayor Stefan Radev proposed the payment.
Thick fog hung over the motorway near the Zimnitsa junction when 86 vehicles collided at about 7am on Tuesday, 10 November. The National Investigation Service is leading the inquiry. Earlier today, the Bulgarian Red Cross set up a free helpline for psychological support for those affected: 0800 11 466.
How the story began: Red Cross opens free helpline with psychologists for those affected by the Trakia crashes
Four of the dead are from the village of Samuilovo. They died the same day. The fifth, a 50-year-old man from Sliven, died today at Dr Ivan Seliminski hospital. His death brings the toll to 12. Eleven people died on the day of the crashes.
"This is a great tragedy for our municipality," Radev told reporters after the meeting. He said the aid shows the community stands with the families who lost their loved ones.
A total of 51 injured people were taken to hospitals in Yambol, Sliven, Burgas and Sofia. Of them, 35 are still being treated.