Louisiana pileup: Seven dead and over 150 vehicles crash amid ‘superfog’

October 24, 2023 01:11 AM

Seven people are dead after more than 150 vehicles crashed on an interstate just west of New Orleans, Louisiana, Monday morning, caused by a “superfog,” authorities said.

More than 25 people were also brought to area hospitals “with varying degrees of injuries from critical to minor,” the Louisiana State Police said in a news release, adding that others “sought medical assistance on their own.”

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APTOPIX Fog Smoke Louisiana — In this aerial photo, responders are seen near wreckage in the aftermath of a multi-vehicle pileup on I-55 in Manchac, La., Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. A “superfog” of smoke from south Louisiana marsh fires and dense morning fog caused multiple traffic crashes involving scores of cars. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Photos from the crash along Interstate 55 in St. John the Baptist Parish show cars charred from flames, dented, and destroyed, with one pickup truck even lying on its side in the nearby water. Police were working into the night, searching for possible additional victims.

“Dense fog & smoke have combined to form what is known as Superfog (yes, it is the technical name) & this is still heavily impacting I-55 between Ponchatoula & LaPlace,” the National Weather Service New Orleans said in a late-morning post on X, formerly Twitter, adding that the fog was slowly improving.

Dense fog & smoke have combined to form what is known as Superfog (yes, it is the technical name) & this is still heavily impacting I-55 between Ponchatoula & LaPlace. The interstate was still closed according to @La_DOTD due to multiple accidents. Fog is slowly improving. pic.twitter.com/xwovJBbuco

— NWS New Orleans (@NWSNewOrleans) October 23, 2023

The Louisiana State Police said after the initial pileup, a section of the crash scene caught on fire, and one tanker truck carrying a “hazardous liquid” had to be removed.

A “superfog” occurs when fog mixes with smoke, “creating near-zero visibility on roads,” according to weather reporting outlet Accuweather. The absence of winds in Louisiana exacerbated the disaster.

Around 100 vehicles were involved in a massive pileup caused by “superfog” on I-55 outside of New Orleans on Monday.

At least two people were killed and more than two dozen others were injured. ⁣ pic.twitter.com/c1VVkVxxZp

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) October 23, 2023

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The severe weather phenomenon is especially dangerous on highways and has caused deadly pileups before.

The interstate is expected to be closed for the foreseeable future as authorities remove vehicles from the road and then work to make sure the highway is safe to operate as normal.