2023-10-24 19:48:35
At least 7 people died and 25 others were hospitalized after a shocking pileup that included 158 vehicles. The cause of such a collision was a large fog bank that enveloped a highway in the state of Louisiana, in the southern United States.
The so-called “great niebla”which according to US media was caused by a combination of fire smoke and dense fog, caused a massive collision on Interstate 55, about 30 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana State Police said in a statement.
Meteorologists had reported hours before that this “super fog” was going to settle heavily in the area, west of New Orleans, at the time of the multiple crashes.
At least 158 vehicles collided in a chain, causing a toll of 7 deaths and more than 25 people were taken to the hospital, not counting “many victims (who) sought medical assistance on their own,” the news agency reported. AFP.
Photos released by police showed both lanes of a highway bridge where the accident occurred completely blocked by crashed vehicles, including dozens of these cars completely burned.
More than 150 vehicles collided in the State of Luisana, in the USA: there are at least seven deaths. Photo: X
According to police sources, a fire broke out on the highway. The channel CNN reported that one of the vehicles involved in the collision was a tanker truck that was transporting “dangerous liquid,” according to police, without giving more details about the substance it was transporting.
John Bel Edwards, governor of the state of Louisiana, sent condolences to the families of victims in the accident and said he was “praying” for the dead and injured.
More than 150 vehicles collided in the State of Luisana, in the USA: there are at least seven deaths. Photo: X
“The combination of wildfire smoke and dense fog is dangerous, and I want to encourage all Louisianans in the affected areas to use extreme caution when driving,” Edwards had written on the social network X.
“I want to thank the first responders and medical personnel who have worked so diligently to save lives and provide aid,” the governor added.
“The best way to help them, besides being careful on the road, is to donate blood at your local blood donation center. “It will help replenish supplies that are running out today to care for the injured.”
Visibility levels were below 400 meters at a nearby weather station from shortly after 4am. Visibility probably approached zero at times in the morningwhen the fog was denser and the accident occurred.
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