Multi-Vehicle Pileup Involving 30 Cars On German Autobahn Leaves Three Dead, Dozens Injured, Highway Closed Hours

Berlin, Germany— A multi-vehicle pileup involving 30 cars on a German Autobahn left three people dead Monday and several others injured, shutting down one of the country's busiest highways for hours as wreckage burned and fog hung low. The crashes came in waves.

The pileup happened around 7:10 a.m. on the A2 near Hanover, a stretch with no speed limit. Police said dense fog and light rain reduced visibility to under 50 meters. One car braked, another hit it, then more piled in. Within minutes, 30 vehicles were tangled, some stacked, some on fire.

Three fatalities were confirmed, two at the scene and one later in hospital. At least 15 others were injured, five critically. A firefighter at the scene said, "We found people trapped between cars. Smoke made it hard to breathe. We had to cut roofs off to get them out."

The Autobahn was closed both directions. Traffic backed up for 20 kilometers. Drivers stuck in fog could not see the flames ahead. Air rescue helicopters landed on the highway. Wreckers worked to separate fused cars while police marked bodies.

Speed is under review. On unrestricted sections, cars often travel over 180 kilometers per hour. In fog, that leaves no time to stop. Police said initial evidence shows many drivers were too fast for conditions. One survivor said he was doing 160 when brake lights appeared out of nowhere.

The pileup exposed response gaps. Emergency lanes were blocked by rubberneckers on the opposite side. One ambulance was delayed by 12 minutes because drivers did not form a proper Rettungsgasse. Officials said that cost time for the critically injured.

Weather played a role. Autumn fog is common on the North German Plain. Forecasters had warned of patchy fog but not this dense. The road surface was slick from overnight rain and oil. Skid marks were visible 100 meters from the first impact.

The transport ministry said it will review whether temporary speed limits should be imposed automatically when fog sensors trigger. Truckers unions have long demanded it. Car lobby groups oppose limits.

Tonight the Autobahn remains partially closed as investigators photograph skid marks and collect debris under floodlights while fog returns.