4 dead, 29 injured in 70-vehicle pileup in Slovenia

Four people have been confirmed dead and 29 injured in a massive pileup in western Slovenia on Saturday, which is believed to be the worst traffic accident in Slovenian history.

About 70 vehicles were involved in the pileup, including a bus and several lorries, near the Senozece exit on the A1 motorway, some 40 km northeast of Koper, the Slovenian Press Agency (STA) reported quoting the police.

According to local private broadcaster POP TV, the police from the scene confirmed four dead and 29 injured in the accident. All the injured had been sent to hospitals in Ljubljana, and nearby Postojna and Izola.

The cause of the accident is believed to be heavy fog. Drivers who avoided the crash reported a thick patch of fog appeared all of a sudden. The broader area is known for extreme fog.

The rescue operation, involving dozens of firefighters, paramedics and police officers, is ongoing. A Postojna police spokesman said at 7:00 p.m. (1800 GMT) it would take at least a few more hours before the road is cleared of crumpled cars and debris.

Video from the scene shot in the immediate aftermath of the crash showed dozens of crumpled cars, some of them lodged under lorries.

If the fifth victim is confirmed, this would be the deadliest pileup in Slovenian history. It is already the biggest one in terms of the number of vehicles involved.

Source: XINHUA