A significant multi-vehicle collision involving over 100 cars occurred on an icy stretch of a highway in Suzhou, East China, resulting in numerous injuries.
The incident was triggered by severe weather conditions, as depicted in footage aired by official television and shared on social media, showing vehicles chaotically clustered on the freeway, surrounded by scattered glass and debris.
In recent weeks, vast regions of China have been grappling with cold waves, snowstorms, and sleet, impacting transportation during a period when millions are traveling home for the Lunar New Year holiday.
According to Xinhua News Agency, the government has heightened its emergency response to the freezing temperatures this week, initiating several plans to manage the transport flow, supplies, and electricity in provinces and cities including Beijing, Hebei, Shanxi, Anhui, and Hubei.
This catastrophic pile-up underscores the challenges faced by China’s transportation network during extreme weather conditions, emphasizing the need for heightened safety measures and preparedness during peak travel seasons.
