At least seven people were killed in an accident involving a total of 158 vehicles on Monday (local time) in the US state of Louisiana. At least another 25 people were taken to hospital, some seriously injured, police said. The cars collided in the ‘super fog’ caused by nearby fires.
Part of the crash site on Interstate 55 west of New Orleans caught fire, in part because a tanker truck loaded with a hazardous liquid caught fire, state police said. Once the vehicle has been recovered, the situation can be better assessed. It is possible that there will be more fatalities.
Debris field on the highway
Photos released by police show a debris field of wrecked and crashed cars on either side of the track. The highway section runs between Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain. According to CNN, at the time of the pile-up on Monday morning, meteorologists spoke of a “super fog” that severely hampered visibility between the communities of Ruddock and Manchac.
The “incredibly dense fog” was caused by a combination of fog and smoke from nearby swamp fires, according to the National Weather Service. The “super fog” is a particularly dense fog that develops in humid, smoky conditions and can reduce visibility to less than 10 feet, according to the National Weather Service.
CNN reported that several accidents occurred. In one, several trucks collided and caught fire, said Saint John the Baptist Parish sheriff Mike Tregre. A vehicle was pushed over the guardrail on the highway, but the occupants appeared okay. The rescue efforts would likely “take a while.”
Forest fires, heat, drought
Louisiana has been struggling with unprecedented wildfires, extreme heat and severe drought since the summer. Sixty-two percent of the state is experiencing exceptional drought, the highest category, CNN reported. The city of New Orleans said the lack of rain combined with the summer’s extreme heat had dried up wetlands and lowered groundwater levels. A fire tracked in forested wetlands rages on and below the surface.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
