A2 Highway Closure Extended: Olive Oil Spill Causes Traffic Disruption Towards Berlin

A significant traffic disruption is occurring on the A2 highway in the direction of Berlin following a serious accident involving a tanker truck. The highway will remain closed until at least Monday due to a substantial spill of olive oil that has seeped into the road surface, complicating cleanup efforts.

The incident took place near Ziesar on Saturday morning, when the 39-year-old driver of the tanker reportedly lost consciousness while driving. The vehicle veered off the highway, struck the median barrier, and collided with a support pillar of a road sign, causing the tanker to overturn and spill its entire cargo of olive oil across multiple lanes of the highway.

Authorities have reported that the olive oil has penetrated deeply into the asphalt, making the cleanup process particularly challenging. The police and fire services are currently assessing the situation to determine if any underlying soil will need to be excavated, which will influence the timeline for reopening the highway. Additionally, the structural integrity of the damaged sign support is under examination.

Traffic heading towards Berlin is being diverted through alternative routes, while the opposite direction towards Hannover has reopened to vehicles. Fortunately, the driver sustained only minor injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Authorities are also investigating whether the spill has caused any environmental damage. As cleanup operations continue, officials urge travelers to plan their routes accordingly and remain cautious of the ongoing roadworks.