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Debris field on the A2: At least two people died in the accident

Photo: Cevin Dettlaff / dpa

At least two people have died in a serious traffic accident involving several trucks on the A2 motorway in Saxony-Anhalt. As the Magdeburg police inspectorate announced, a truck was also involved in the accident on Tuesday at around 12.15 p.m. between the exits of Theeßen and Burg-Ost in the district of Jerichower Land, which transported high-pressure containers filled with nitrous oxide.

According to the report, the driver of a dangerous goods transporter initially overlooked the end of a traffic jam and pushed three trucks in front of him into each other. Subsequently, a fifth truck, which had loaded the nitrous oxide, collided with the other vehicles.

As the MDR reported, the accident led to the explosion of several gas containers, and the flames quickly spread to the hazardous goods transporter.

Salvage work could not yet begin

According to the police, the fatalities are two truck drivers involved. Due to the dangerous situation, the police said they could not enter the scene of the accident until the evening hours, and the recovery work had not yet begun.

Several vehicles in oncoming traffic had been damaged by flying debris. The affected section of the motorway remained closed in both directions. The police advised road users to avoid the area widely.

phw/AFP