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Black Ice Triggers Hundreds of Crashes Across Germany as DWD Issues Ongoing Warning

Authorities urge people to stay off roads with forecasters warning the freeze-and-drizzle hazard will persist into the night.

Overview

  • Germany’s weather service cautioned of significant icing across large parts of the north and east, with patchy risk in the west and Alpine foothills.
  • Berlin police logged 565 traffic crashes from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning with about 20 injuries, far above a typical day’s tally.
  • A multi-vehicle collision on the A1 near Wildeshausen occurred in extreme ice and fog with several injuries, and responders moved in small steps until gritting improved safety.
  • Police in Hesse confirmed a 73-year-old woman died after a car likely skidded on an icy road near Hessisch Lichtenau and hit oncoming traffic.
  • Brandenburg, Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern reported dozens of additional incidents, Potsdam suspended bus service, and emergency services deployed extra resources as the cold snap following the chilliest Christmas since 2010 sustained the glatteis risk.