One killed, more than 60 hurt in 126-car pileup on E-11

UPDATE: One dead, dozens hurt in 127-car Abu Dhabi pile-up

ABU DHABI // One person was killed and more than 60 hurt as a chain reaction of accidents involving 126 cars choked the E-11 from Dubai to Abu Dhabi this morning near the border between the two emirates, police said.

Fog and bad driving were cited as the chief reasons for the pile-up, which began sometime before 8am. Officers arrived soon after and shut down the road, according to Abu Dhabi police. Several of the wrecked vehicles caught fire.

Although the accident occurred in Abu Dhabi emirate, Dubai authorities were called in to help. The injured were taken to Al Rahba, Al Samha and Al Mafraq hospitals, according to Abu Dhabi police.

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Editorial: Another needless tragedy on the E-11

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Drivers this morning were either turned back towards Dubai or diverted to a nearby roundabout which took them to an alternate route to Abu Dhabi, according to Dubai police.

The accident closed down the road for several hours but it was reopened about 10am, according to Abu Dhabi police.

Investigations are continuing, police said.

newsdesk@thenational.ae