One person has been confirmed dead following a horrific multi-vehicle crash on the N12 near the R555 Ogies/Blackhill off-ramp in Mpumalanga on Monday morning, where a diesel tanker explosion and thick fog turned the highway into a major disaster scene.
The crash involved seven vehicles in total, including four heavy-duty trucks and three light motor vehicles. Emergency services rushed to the scene after reports of a serious collision just before the busy off-ramp towards Emalahleni.
According to updated information from authorities, a diesel tanker collided with a truck transporting plastic pipes. The impact triggered a fire, and the tanker exploded shortly after, sending flames and smoke across the roadway and forcing an immediate shutdown of the N12.
Despite the intensity of the fire, both drivers of the burnt-out trucks managed to escape the inferno. However, several occupants from the other vehicles were injured and transported to nearby medical facilities. The full extent of the injuries has not yet been confirmed.
Recovery operations stretched through the morning as tow trucks worked to clear wreckage from the highway. Spilltech crews were also brought in to contain and clean up fuel contamination caused by the burning tanker.
Watch: One Dead After Diesel Tanker Bursts Into Flames in R59 Crash Between Sasolburg and Parys
Traffic flow towards Johannesburg has since reopened and is moving freely again, while sections of the opposite carriageway remained restricted earlier as authorities continued clearing debris and assessing road safety conditions.
Officials believe the crash was caused by extremely poor visibility due to heavy mist that blanketed the area early in the morning. Motorists travelling along the N12 reported near-zero visibility in some sections between Ogies and Kendal, creating dangerous driving conditions for heavy freight traffic.
Authorities have not yet confirmed when all remaining restrictions will be lifted as investigations continue into the exact sequence of events leading to the crash.
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