A massive landslide on the Bulgaria-Greece highway stranded hundreds of Greek holidaymakers in an hours-long gridlock Monday afternoon as they returned from popular ski resorts.
The blockage halted all southbound traffic from the Bansko and Borovets resorts in Bulgaria, trapping tour buses, passenger cars, and trucks.
The severe delays struck on Clean Monday, a peak travel day marking the end of Greece's vibrant carnival weekend and the official start of Eastern Orthodox Lent.
Travelers, predominantly from northern Greek regions, reported that a typical four-hour drive from the Borovets resort to the Greek town of Giannitsa had already stretched past five hours. Navigation systems were projecting at least five additional hours of standstill traffic before reaching the border.
With vehicles completely immobilized, frustration grew among the returning crowds.
"We've climbed off the buses and are just chatting on the road," one stranded motorist told reporter Athanasia Angelopoulou of the Greek news outlet iefimerida.gr.
Mrs. Angelopoulou noted that local authorities had not yet provided alternate detours or announced a clear timeline for clearing the debris and reopening the international highway, creating a logistical nightmare during one of the region's busiest travel weekends.
By Athanasia Aggelopoulou