Hebei, China—Visibility dropped to less than ten meters on the main expressway this afternoon due to thick, sudden fog. A multi-vehicle pileup occurred when the lead truck braked hard, causing a chain reaction.

At least fifteen vehicles were involved in the collision, which blocked all three lanes of the highway. Three people were confirmed dead by medical staff who arrived at the site an hour after the impact.

First responders used hydraulic tools to pull survivors from the wreckage of the cars caught beneath the heavy trucks. The density of the fog significantly slowed the initial rescue efforts.

Eight people were transported to nearby hospitals with injuries ranging from minor fractures to critical trauma. The highway remained impassable for most of the afternoon.

Police have diverted traffic to local roads to prevent further accidents in the low-visibility conditions. They are asking motorists to stay clear of the area until the fog lifts and the road is cleared.

Investigators are currently collecting evidence to determine if excessive speed contributed to the severity of the pileup. They are also reviewing weather warning records for that stretch of the expressway.

Work crews are using heavy cranes to clear the crushed metal from the road. The process is expected to continue until the late evening hours.

The government has reminded drivers to slow down and use fog lights when navigating the region during periods of low visibility. The investigation into the incident will be completed later this week.