Cyclone Triggers Mass Crash and Gridlock in Central Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky
Officials blame near-zero visibility from a blizzard for hazardous roads across southern Kamchatka.
Overview
- Two passenger buses and at least five cars collided in the city center, with no injuries reported so far, according to TASS.
- Traffic was severely disrupted in both directions through central Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, causing long jams.
- A cyclone brought heavy snow, gusts up to 30 m/s and ice, with drivers creeping along the Morport–Aeroport highway in near-zero visibility.
- Traffic lights were partially out in the Gorizont and Severo-Vostok areas, a fallen tree blocked lanes in Seroglazka, and a truck failed to crest Pogranichnaya Street.
- City authorities deployed graders to clear slush after anti-icing treatment, canceled classes in the capital and partly in Yelizovo, and recommended remote work.