Bulgaria bus crash, fire leave 45 dead

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Dozens of people are dead after a bus crashed and caught fire in Bulgaria early Tuesday, authorities said.

>> PHOTOS: Bulgaria bus crash, fire leave dozens dead

According to The Associated Press and Reuters, the incident occurred about 2 a.m. on a highway near Bosnek. The bus, which was carrying tourists from North Macedonia, struck a barrier and caught fire, authorities said.

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At least 45 people died in the crash, and seven others were treated at nearby hospitals, the AP reported. Twelve of the dead were children, according to Reuters.

“I take this opportunity to send my condolences to the relatives of the victims,” Caretaker Prime Minister Stefan Yanev told reporters, according to the AP. “Let’s hope we learn lessons from this tragic incident and we can prevent such incidents in the future.”

– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Photos: Bulgaria bus crash, fire leave dozens dead Firefighters and forensic workers inspect the scene of a bus crash which, according to authorities, killed at least 45 people on a highway near the village of Bosnek, western Bulgaria, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. The bus, registered in Northern Macedonia, crashed around 2 a.m. and there were children among the victims, authorities said. (Minko Chernev/BTA Agency Bulgaria via AP)

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