Hefei, China—Seven people were injured earlier today when a multi-vehicle pile-up occurred on an expressway in Anhui province during a period of heavy rainfall. The Anhui Traffic Police arrived at the scene shortly after the initial collision to find multiple vehicles tangled across the lanes. Visibility was reported to be near zero due to the intensity of the storm.

The pile-up began when a heavy goods vehicle reportedly skidded on the slick asphalt. This initial loss of control triggered a chain reaction, involving several passenger cars that were unable to brake in time. The force of the collisions left a line of damaged vehicles spanning nearly one hundred meters of the roadway.

Emergency responders were dispatched from the nearest county station to begin the extraction of trapped passengers. The wet conditions added an extra layer of danger for the crews as they worked to pry open buckled metal frames. Ambulances stood by to transport the injured to the nearest provincial medical center.

Police confirmed that the seven injured individuals are currently receiving treatment for trauma and lacerations. Hospital staff report that none of the victims are in life-threatening condition at this time. All other passengers involved in the accident were evaluated on-site and cleared for release.

Officers closed the expressway for nearly four hours to clear the debris and conduct an initial investigation. Traffic was diverted to a secondary provincial road, leading to significant delays for long-haul transport and local commuters. Crews used heavy cranes to remove the trucks involved in the incident.

The Anhui Traffic Police have launched a review of the road safety conditions during the storm. They are analyzing dashcam footage collected from surviving vehicles to determine if excessive speed played a factor. The findings will be used to improve traffic management protocols for future rain events.

The highway was cleared and reopened for transit by late afternoon once road maintenance teams finished cleaning the surface. Salt and sand were applied to the lanes to improve traction for vehicles passing through the area. Officers remain stationed nearby to monitor traffic speeds.

Investigators are expected to conclude their review of the event by the end of the week. No charges have been filed at this stage as the investigation is still active. Authorities continue to stress the need for extreme caution when driving through major storms in the region.