16-vehicle pile-up in Sakarya captured from the air! 13 injured, 4 in critical condition

The accident occurred on the Ankara-bound section of the Anatolian Motorway in the Alancuma area of the Erenler district in Sakarya. Allegedly, thick black smoke rising from tires burned under a bridge spread across the motorway. The sudden drop in visibility caught drivers unprepared.

SUDDEN BRAKING LED TO SUCCESSIVE COLLISIONS

Some drivers, unable to see ahead due to the smoke, braked suddenly. As vehicles coming from behind were unable to stop, 16 vehicles, including passenger buses, minibuses, and cars, were involved in a chain-reaction accident.

13 INJURED, 4 IN CRITICAL CONDITION

Upon notification, numerous health, fire, and gendarmerie teams were dispatched to the region. The 13 injured, who received initial intervention at the scene, were taken to nearby hospitals. It was reported that 4 of the injured are in critical condition.

TRAFFIC WAS CONTROLLED, THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL

Due to the accident, traffic on the Ankara direction of the motorway was provided under control for a while. After the damaged vehicles were removed and the road was cleared, transportation returned to normal. While the accident site was captured from the air, an investigation into the incident has been initiated.

“EVERYONE KEPT HITTING EACH OTHER”

The vehicles involved in the accident were towed to a rest area approximately 1 kilometer away.

Mehmet Ali Mutlu, the driver of the truck with license plate 42 ADS 921, described what he experienced as follows:

“A vehicle had its hazard lights on, so we stopped. When the vehicles in the middle lane started moving, smoke appeared. The moment I steered into the middle lane, everyone kept hitting each other. First a bus, then the other vehicles crashed. I didn't hit anyone. I was carrying food to Düzce; I was going to take a break at the facility and sleep, but it didn't happen.”