On Wednesday, April 22, a devastating road accident in Bulgaria involving a passenger bus resulted in the tragic deaths of two Ukrainian citizens and left 16 others injured. The incident was reported by Novinite, citing preliminary data from local law enforcement and emergency services. This heartbreaking event raises urgent concerns regarding the safety standards of international passenger transport, heavily relied upon by displaced Ukrainians.
According to the preliminary investigation, the fatal crash occurred early in the morning on the Burgas-Malko Tarnovo highway, a route located close to the border checkpoint leading into Turkey. The bus was carrying 37 passengers and two drivers, all of whom were identified as citizens of Ukraine. The sequence of events leading to the tragedy began with a relatively mundane issue: the vehicle suddenly ran out of fuel.
Following the forced stop, the passengers were allowed to exit the bus to stretch and get some fresh air. Most of them congregated directly behind the stationary vehicle. Tragically, without any warning, the heavy bus began to roll backwards down the incline. The uncontrolled vehicle plowed into the group of waiting passengers before veering off the road and overturning into an adjacent ditch.
The forceful impact proved instantly fatal for two individuals who were unable to move out of the vehicle’s path in time. Emergency response teams and medical crews were rapidly dispatched to the scene of the accident. Ambulances transported six severely injured victims to specialized hospitals in the coastal city of Burgas. Meanwhile, ten other individuals who sustained various injuries were taken to an emergency medical center in Malko Tarnovo for urgent treatment. The remaining passengers, many of whom were suffering from severe psychological shock, were temporarily accommodated at a local day center in the border town.
Local authorities have clarified that the bus was en route to Turkey for a planned trip, and a significant portion of the passengers were Ukrainian refugees who have been temporarily residing in the Burgas region. Fleeing the ongoing horrors of the full-scale war in their homeland, these individuals had sought safety abroad, making this tragic loss of life even more poignant.
Bulgarian police have detained the driver of the bus as part of the ongoing criminal investigation. Detectives and technical experts are working diligently to determine the exact cause of the vehicle’s sudden movement. The investigation is focusing on whether the accident was the result of a catastrophic mechanical failure within the braking system or gross human negligence, such as failing to properly engage the parking brake.
This incident is unfortunately not an isolated case. Just one week prior, a minibus carrying six Ukrainians overturned in Poland, resulting in injuries to both the driver and a passenger. Such consecutive traffic accidents highlight a pressing need for stricter oversight of international transport companies. Embassies and consular services are currently providing comprehensive assistance to the victims, ensuring that thorough investigations are conducted and accountability is upheld.