Preliminary findings from the inspections ordered by the Minister of Transport and Communications, Georgi Peev, following the serious accident between a truck and a bus on the Hemus Motorway, reveal serious violations by the freight carrier "Steli Mega Metali" EOOD. The company has been issued orders imposing coercive administrative measures to temporarily suspend its public freight transport operations until the identified non-compliances are rectified.
The accident occurred on May 12 between a truck belonging to "Steli Mega Metali" EOOD and a bus owned by "Union Ivkoni" OOD, which was leased to the carrier "GROUP PLUS" Ltd.
The results of the thematic inspection conducted by the Executive Agency "Automobile Administration" of the carrier "GROUP PLUS" Ltd. currently indicate that no waybill was presented for the trip in question, for which a citation was issued. The bus’s tachograph and the driver’s card have been seized by the investigating authorities and will be analysed as part of the pre-trial proceedings.
According to preliminary data, the carrier "Steli Mega Metali" Ltd. has not demonstrated financial stability within the statutory deadline. Consequently, on May 19, 2026, an order was issued for a compulsory administrative measure to temporarily suspend operations until the non-compliance is rectified.
The inspection also revealed that the company had failed to comply with the requirement that transport operations be managed on a permanent and effective basis by a person holding a certificate of professional competence. The carrier has not had a transport manager since March 1, 2026, which is why a second order for temporary suspension of operations was issued. Both orders are to be served to the company's manager.
An analysis of the data from the truck’s digital tachograph revealed periods of driving without a valid card inserted, including at the time of the accident. It was also found that the tachograph had been switched to "out of range" (OUT) mode and that the device lacked a valid periodic calibration. Citations will be issued for these violations.
The supervising prosecutor in the ongoing pre-trial proceedings will be notified of all identified violations. Inspections of the two companies are ongoing.