Shortly before noon, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) received a call for a road accident involving a truck and several passenger cars.
As a result of the crash, several people were stuck in one passenger car, and fuel leaked from the truck. Firefighters worked to rescue people and stop fuel leaks. A rescue car and a special chemical accident car were also involved in the work of removing the consequences of the accident.
The State Police reported that five cars were involved in the collision and there were two fatalities. The Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) identified the deaths at the site of the accident, five more were provided assistance. Four victims were delivered to medical facilities with moderate to severe injuries.
It was initially reported that 5,000 liters of fuel leaked at the site of the crash, but it was later reported that about 20 tonnes of fuel leaked in the area of about 100 square meters. The State Environmental Service (VVD) said that the leaked fuel was covered with absorbing foam. The tank owner has taken the responsibility to clear up and pump fuel out o the tank.
VVD continues to survey the area – it is currently known that the fuel has seeped into the bottom of a ditch ten meters from the site of the event.
Traffic at the crash site on the Liepāja highway was closed almost all day. The police said that after 7 in the evening traffic at the accident site has been partially restored towards Rīga and organized in one lane.
A major accident also occurred Friday in Jēkabpils municipality, Rites parish. A woman died there and several others were injured, police reported. According to the original information, the accident occurred when a car tipped over on a turn.
Traffic at the site of the event isn't limited, but police are still working.
