Icy Conditions Spark Numerous Traffic Accidents with Injuries and Fatalities in Northern and Eastern Germany

Northern and eastern Germany faced hazardous winter conditions leading to numerous road accidents over the weekend, driven by black ice and freezing temperatures. The German Weather Service (DWD) and the NINA app had warned residents overnight of icy roads as temperatures dropped between -1 and -9 degrees Celsius, creating slippery surfaces that impacted travel safety.

A major collision on the A1 highway between Ahlhorner Dreieck and Wildeshausen-West in Niedersachsen early Saturday morning involved five vehicles and caused injuries to 13 people. Dense fog and extreme slickness complicated rescue operations at the scene. In Brandenburg, authorities reported approximately 120 traffic accidents from Friday evening onwards, resulting in 19 injuries, often linked to excessive speed on the treacherous roads. Public transport services in Potsdam were suspended due to the conditions, adding to disruptions.

One serious accident in Oranienburg saw a young driver lose control on black ice, injuring three individuals. Additionally, a 22-year-old driver and her eight-month-old baby survived a severe rollover on Bundesstraße 68 in the affected region. Tragically, in Hessen, a 73-year-old woman died after a two-car collision caused by slippery road surfaces.

Emergency response agencies were heavily engaged: the Hamburg fire department attended 87 ice-related incidents, while Berlin's fire department reported 565 traffic accidents since Friday afternoon, marking a sharp increase with 20 injuries, including one grave case. Officials cautioned residents to avoid outdoor activities and urged drivers to exercise utmost care given the dangerous winter hazards.

This spate of accidents underscores the severe impact of sudden black ice formation and freezing temperatures across Germany's northern and eastern states, prompting warnings from weather authorities and intensive emergency responses.