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🇳🇴 Norway /Disasters & Emergencies

Evacuation and smoke after accident in E16 tunnel: 'Chaotic'

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A head-on collision between a car and a truck occurred in the E16 Trollkonetunnelen tunnel in Vaksdal, Norway.
  • Smoke was reported in the tunnel, leading to an evacuation of people.
  • The accident caused a closure of the E16, a major route between Oslo and Bergen, resulting in traffic queues in both directions.

A serious head-on collision between a car and a truck in the Trollkonetunnelen tunnel on Norway's E16 highway has led to evacuations and significant traffic disruption. The incident, reported to police around 5:33 PM, occurred in Vaksdal municipality.

Evacuating people out

— Ingrid Teigland TepstadIngrid Teigland Tepstad, operations leader for the Vest police district, reported on the evacuation efforts in the tunnel.

Emergency services, including the fire department, responded to the scene where smoke was observed within the tunnel. Authorities initiated an evacuation of individuals present in the tunnel. The situation was described as chaotic, with many people and vehicles caught inside.

One person who was trapped in the car has since been freed and is receiving medical attention. The individual was conscious during the rescue operation. The extent of any other potential injuries remains unclear.

It appears chaotic at the scene, with many people and cars in the tunnel

— Ingrid Teigland TepstadIngrid Teigland Tepstad described the scene at the accident site.

The E16 is a crucial artery connecting Oslo and Bergen. Following the accident, the road has been closed in both directions, causing considerable traffic queues and delays for travelers.

One person is trapped in the car. The fire department is working to free them. They are conscious.

— Ingrid Teigland TepstadIngrid Teigland Tepstad provided an update on the rescue of a trapped individual.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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