Orleans, France—Three people died this afternoon in a multi-car pileup on the A10 highway. The collision involved several passenger vehicles and one light commercial truck. First responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash to secure the area. Traffic in the direction of Paris remains at a complete standstill.

The accident occurred on a stretch of the motorway known for heavy weekend volume. Initial accounts suggest a sudden slowdown triggered a chain-reaction impact. Debris from the wrecked cars spread across three lanes. Emergency crews are currently working to clear the mangled vehicles from the asphalt.

Medical teams transported two other individuals to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Several minor injuries were treated by paramedics at the site. The highway authorities have diverted all incoming traffic to local secondary roads. This has caused significant congestion in the surrounding towns.

Police investigators are currently mapping the scene to establish the cause of the initial impact. They are speaking with witnesses who were driving behind the lead vehicles. Evidence marks on the road suggest high speeds were maintained despite the dense traffic flow.

The interior minister released a brief statement acknowledging the severity of the crash. They urged motorists to exercise extreme caution as rescue operations continue. The wreckage remains under investigation to verify the mechanical status of the involved vehicles.

Heavy cranes are being positioned to lift the truck involved in the collision. This process is expected to take several hours to complete. Officials have not yet released the identities of the deceased pending family notification.

The section of the A10 will remain closed while road crews repair damaged safety barriers. The regional prefecture is monitoring the impact on travel times for the remainder of the evening. Authorities anticipate the highway will reopen well before the morning commute.

Technical teams are finalizing their survey of the accident site.