MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Massive car crash in Chile involves 51 vehicles kills 5 and injures over 50

The extent of the damage in one of Chile’s busiest highways

In Chile a massive car crash involving 23 trucks, 17 smaller vehicles and 11 buses left at least five dead and many others injured Wednesday morning, local authorities report. The accident occurred just past 7 a.m. at the turnoff for Algarrobo on the eastbound side of Route 68, which connects coastal Valparaíso to Santiago.

By midday Health Minister Jaime Mañalich confirmed the names of the five people that were killed in the accident -- four adults and an 11-year-old child. By early afternoon over 50 were reported injured and taken to nearby hospitals for emergency assistance.

Mañalich said “the scene is truly horrific,” noting it “is probably the most serious accident that has ever happened on this expressway.”

Early reports link the crash to dense fog in the area Wednesday morning as well as large quantities of smoke due to the burning of grazing land nearby. Police are currently investigating the cause of the 51-car pileup.

Miguel Mujica, mayor of Casablanca, told press that the burning of grazing land was not authorized at this hour of the day but that “it is a common practice for farmers to do this to fight off morning frost.” Police have stated that the burning of grazing land was authorized at another time of the day.

At least nine Casablanca firefighter companies arrived at the scene, as did three helicopters and over 30 ambulances to help tend to the injured.

Valparaíso fire-fighters commanding officer, Manuel Acuña, told Channel 13 that the situation was becoming increasingly complicated because there were five people trapped in the wreck and more possibly trapped inside cars trapped between bigger vehicles.

Passengers injured in the crash were taken to the Naval, Casablanca, Gustavo Fricke and Van Buren hospitals. At the Van Burn hospital, Emol reports that one doctor practically “collapsed” due to the surge of people requiring medical assistance from the accident.

When asked about causes of the incident, Casablanca police commissioner Major Marcelo Arancibia said, “The untimely braking of one of the drivers could also have been the cause of this fatal, multi-car accident.”

The 80-mile stretch between Valparaíso and Santiago is commonly travelled by commuters.

Transportation Minister Pedro Errázuriz said that the rescue mission would “probably last all day” due to the large number of vehicles involved in the accident. Drivers are cautioned to use alternative routes as the road to Santiago remains closed.

By Juan Francisco Veloso Olguin -  The Santiago Times