7 dead, over 25 injured in Louisiana crashes

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): At least seven people have been killed and more than 25 others injured in crashes involving at least 158 vehicles due to heavy fog on a Louisiana interstate in the United States.

There were several “multiple-vehicle” crashes in the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 55, beginning at mile-marker 22, and a stretch of the crash scene caught fire, state police said.

More than 25 people were taken to hospitals with varying degrees of injuries, police said, and others sought medical attention on their own, according to NBC News

State police believe the number of people killed could rise as they clear the area around a tanker truck carrying hazardous liquid.

“Once the tanker is removed, first responders will be able to better assess the vehicles in that immediate area. It is possible that additional fatalities could be located,” police said.

At a news conference Monday, State Police Sgt. Kate Stegall said the crashes began shortly before 9am and stretched across a mile.

“There is heavy fog in the area and drivers should avoid the area if possible and use alternate routes,” the post said.

Stegall said that the investigation was fluid and that the interstate would remain closed throughout the night Monday while the wreckage was cleared.

sa/mud

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