Germany coach crash: Five dead in horror smash on busy autobahn
A number of others have been injured in a motorway crash near the eastern Germany city of Leipzig.
At least five people have been killed and more injured after a horror crash on a busy autobahn in Germany. The bus, believed to be operated by the company Flixbus, is understood to have veered to the right before falling onto its side.
The bus crash happened on the A9 motorway, as it travelled from Berlin and was on its way to Nuremberg, en route to Zurich.
There are also said to be several seriously injured people.
According to eyewitnesses, the coach veered off the right of the road for an unknown reason and fell onto its side.
Officials in Saxony have released a statement saying their thoughts are with the victims following the horror crash.
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Major traffic chaos
The A9 is a major north-south route that links Berlin with Munich.
The scene of the accident was just north of a highway interchange at Schkeuditz, next to the Leipzig/Halle airport.
Not the first Flixbus accident
According to Bild, a Flixbus accident had already occurred on the same A9 motorway four years ago. At the time, an elderly person died.
Emergency services on scene
Emergency services rushed to the scene of the accident.
Police warns of road closure
The road in the direction of Munich is currently completely closed, Police says.
\ud83d\udea8Gegen 9:45 Uhr ereignete sich auf der #A9 bei #Leipzig zwischen #Wiedemar und dem #SchkeuditzerKreuz ein schwerer Verkehrsunfall, bei dem auch ein Reisebus beteiligt ist. Die Fahrbahn in Richtung M\u00fcnchen ist derzeit voll gesperrt.
\u2014 Polizei Sachsen (@PolizeiSachsen) March 27, 2024
A9 motorway closed on both sides
The accident occurred around 9:45am local time between the Wiedemar junction and the Schkeuditzer Kreuz, the police said. The road is completely closed in both directions. The Schkeuditzer Kreuz is located at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The A9 is an important north-south highway connecting Berlin and Munich.
Saxony's Transport Minister Martin Dulig was dismayed: "My thoughts are with the relatives of the victims and injured people. I would like to thank the many emergency services on site who provided quick help."
Diakonissen Hospital ready to take in injured
The emergency room has been alerted and operating theatres and diagnostic rooms are being prepared and available, said a spokesman for the Diakonissen Hospital in Leipzig.
In addition, the control centre has been informed about the capacities it has for admitting patients.
Filixbus confirms deadly crash
Flixbus confirmed that it was a vehicle that was traveling from Berlin via Munich to Zurich.
According to the company, there were 53 passengers and two drivers on board. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this accident and their families,” said a Flixbus spokesman when asked by German media.
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