Drunk Truck Driver Causes Partial Closure of Berlin's Tiergarten Tunnel

A truck driver under the influence of alcohol became stuck in Berlin's Tiergarten Tunnel on Monday evening, prompting significant traffic disruptions. The driver, a 57-year-old man, attempted to take an exit in the tunnel but miscalculated, leading to his vehicle becoming wedged. The incident resulted in damage to the tunnel structure and a blockade in the direction of Moabit.

The traffic control center confirmed that the tunnel would remain partially closed until the weekend, following the incident that occurred around 8 PM. While the driver did not cause severe structural damage, he did collide with technical installations within the tunnel. His truck was trapped between the tunnel ceiling and a barrier after failing to navigate the exit properly.

Emergency responders from the Berlin Fire Department were dispatched to the scene, where 26 firefighters worked to free the driver from the wreckage. They utilized specialized tools to extract him through a side window, as the truck's cabin had sustained considerable deformation.

Upon evaluation, the driver was found to have a blood alcohol concentration of approximately 2.4?, a level that significantly exceeds legal limits. He was treated for minor back injuries at a nearby hospital but was later discharged.

The fire department also managed spillage of operating fluids from the truck and ensured fire safety measures were in place until the vehicle could be recovered. The truck was eventually towed from the scene by a specialized recovery service, with the entire operation taking around three and a half hours.

As a result of the recovery and subsequent repairs, the inbound lane of the tunnel toward Moabit is blocked, though the entry from Invalidenstraße into the tunnel toward Kreuzberg has been reopened as of Tuesday morning. Authorities are advising motorists to seek alternative routes until the situation is resolved.