Traffic Disrupted on Trakia Motorway Near Chirpan Following Accident

Traffic on the Trakia motorway (A1) was significantly disrupted on Saturday, February 21, 2026, following a serious accident near Chirpan, Bulgaria. The incident, which occurred around 12:00 PM in the direction of Sofia, forced drivers to utilize the emergency lane, according to reports.

Details of the Accident

Initial reports indicate a collision involving at least one Audi, resulting in substantial damage to the vehicles involved. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and had to cut open one of the cars to extricate a victim. Eyewitnesses reported seeing “parts of cars blown away” due to the force of the impact while ascending the hill near Chirpan.

Traffic Management and Detours

Traffic of heavy goods vehicles over 12 tons has been diverted onto a bypass route through Chirpan. The “Road Police” are on site regulating traffic flow in the area.

Previous Traffic Restrictions

This incident follows a previously announced temporary restriction on heavy goods vehicle traffic on the Trakia motorway. On July 27, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, traffic of trucks over 12 tons was limited in the section from Stara Zagora to Sofia, in the direction of Sofia, as a pilot measure to ease congestion during the summer tourist season. Fakti.bg reported that detour routes were available for affected vehicles.

About the Trakia Motorway

The Trakia motorway (A1), also known as the Thrace motorway, is a major route in Bulgaria, connecting the capital city of Sofia with Plovdiv and Burgas on the Black Sea coast. According to Wikipedia, the motorway spans 360 km (220 miles) and is part of the E80 route.

Ongoing Updates

As of this report, there is no official information regarding the number of casualties. Fire and police teams remain at the scene, and further updates will be provided as they develop into available.