Black ice has caused severe accidents in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, leading to multiple fatalities and significant disruptions at Stuttgart Airport. With over 1,000 accidents reported in Baden-Württemberg, authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution. Some highways were closed due to serious incidents, including a tragic collision on the A92. Despite the chaos, train services remained unaffected, while emergency rooms dealt with numerous injuries. A high-pressure system is expected to improve conditions in the coming days.
Black Ice Causes Havoc in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg
In recent days, hazardous road conditions have led to a spate of accidents across Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, tragically resulting in multiple fatalities. The freezing rain also had a significant impact on operations at Stuttgart Airport, causing several flights to be redirected.
Black ice has transformed the roads of southwestern Germany into perilous slides. In Baden-Württemberg alone, over 1,000 accidents were reported, including some resulting in injuries. In Bavaria, at least three individuals lost their lives due to these treacherous conditions.
Safety Precautions and Ongoing Weather Warnings
Authorities are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution, advising them to reduce speed and avoid abrupt braking. A police spokesperson from Aalen emphasized, “These conditions leave little room for error.” While weather conditions improved throughout the day, the German Weather Service had previously warned of black ice. They continue to caution that such conditions could still arise in both Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
In Bavaria, several highways were temporarily closed following serious accidents. Notably, a tragic incident occurred on the A92 in Lower Bavaria, where a 41-year-old driver and his 38-year-old passenger lost their lives after colliding with a truck. The A3 near Regensburg also saw multiple accidents, with at least one fatality reported.
The Franconian administrative districts, alongside Lower Bavaria, Upper Palatinate, and Swabia, faced significant challenges, with police in Middle Franconia recording approximately 120 accidents due to black ice from midnight to 8:00 AM.
Despite the chaotic weather, winter services at airports across Bavaria managed to keep operations largely on track. According to the German Railway, train services remained unaffected by the weather. However, some schools in Bavaria canceled in-person classes due to the conditions.
In Baden-Württemberg, while over 1,000 accidents occurred, police confirmed that fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The Ludwigsburg police recorded more than 400 accidents, with additional incidents reported in Heilbronn, Stuttgart, and the Rems-Murr district. An “extraordinary operational situation” was declared in Stuttgart to facilitate the deployment of disaster relief units.
Emergency rooms in Baden-Württemberg saw an influx of patients, with many being treated for forearm and wrist fractures, as noted by a spokesperson for the SLK Clinics in Heilbronn.
Stuttgart Airport experienced significant disruptions in the morning, with flight operations temporarily halted for winter services on the runway. As a result, significant delays were experienced, and two incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports before operations resumed later in the day.
The DWD indicated that smooth road conditions were anticipated from central to southern Germany as the day progressed, though they issued warnings for certain parts of Saxony. Pedestrians and cyclists were advised to remain vigilant and limit unnecessary outdoor activities due to potential road closures and traffic disruptions.
Looking ahead, a high-pressure system is expected to bring largely dry but overcast weather in the coming days, providing some relief from the recent hazardous conditions.