10 dead, 97 injured in motorway pile-up in northeastern Germany

10 dead, 97 injured in motorway pile-up in northeastern Germany

2011-04-09 01:52:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

BERLIN, GERMANY (BNO NEWS) -- At least 10 people were killed and 97 others were injured in a motorway pile-up caused by a sandstorm in northeastern Germany, the DPA news agency reported.

A sudden sandstorm struck the southern region of Rostock in Germany's eastern coast. The heavy winds combined with the dust and dirt reduced visibility in the region to zero in a matter of seconds.

The deadly accident occurred on the A19 motorway and police said that about 80 cars were involved. At least 20 vehicles caught on fire and some drivers were burned to death.

Firefighters rushed to the area and worked hours before controlling the flames. The massive car wreck took place to both directions of the A19 motorway as cars and trucks crashed into each other.

A truck transporting hazardous materials was reportedly also among the wreckage. The highway was closed while rescue operations were in place. Rescue helicopters were unable to land due to the poor visibility.

"Such extreme forces of nature show that there are limits even to the greatest efforts to ensure safety on our roads," said German Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer.

The accident was one of the worst highway pile-ups in Germany's history. In 1990, a deadly motorway accident, caused by heavy fog, killed 11 people.

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