At least 11 people have been killed and 48 injured in two major pile-ups involving more than 50 vehicles on Bulgaria’s Trakia motorway.

Axar.az reports, citing Euronews, that the crashes occurred on Tuesday morning near Yambol, on the motorway connecting Sofia with the Black Sea city of Burgas. The two pile-ups happened a few kilometres apart near the Zimnitsa junction, affecting both directions.

Dense fog is believed to have been a major factor, with visibility reduced to around 30 metres. Several people were trapped inside vehicles, including tanker lorries, and rescuers had to cut through wreckage to free them.

The injured were taken to hospitals in Yambol and Sliven, with several reported to be in serious or life-threatening condition.

The motorway has been closed in both directions between the Zimnitsa and Kabile junctions while rescue operations and an investigation continue.