How did Louisiana pile-up happen? Details explored as super fog causes highway crashes leaving at least seven dead

In a shocking incident, at least seven people were reportedly killed and 25 injured in a series of vehicle crashes on Louisiana’s Interstate 55 that involved 158 automobiles. As per a statement released by the Louisiana State Police, the incident, which happened due to "super fog," occurred on October 23, and over 25 people were moved to hospital for minor to major injuries.

The authorities added that several victims even took medical help on their own. Reportedly, there was an 11-mile backup and more fatalities could be spotted after the crash scene was completely cleared. Interstate 55, which is a 24-mile-long highway, is a long stretch and is anticipated to be closed until further notice.

As per The National Weather Service, super fog develops when colder, saturated air combines with smoke and moisture emitted by wet, burning objects like brush, leaves, and trees. It can lead to visibility that is lower than 10 feet.

Super fog may settle in low-lying places such as river beds and drainage ditches when there is little wind. However, super fog over roads can be quite hazardous and has resulted in several deadly car accidents.

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Governor of Louisiana mourned for the deceased people who were victims of the super fog

As per CNN, Louisiana authorities were working on October 23 on a “compromised tank/trailer” and were attempting to move it.

“Once the tanker is removed, first responders will be able to better assess the vehicles in that immediate area. It is possible that additional fatalities could be located.”

In a statement, Governor John Bel Edwards expressed his condolences for the fatalities and requested people to give blood to "help replenish supplies that are being drained today to care for the wounded."

He also advised vehicles to be cautious of the "dangerous combination of wildfire smoke and dense fog."

Prior to this, three 18-wheel trucks crashed in the northbound lanes and were completely engulfed in flames, according to St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre. There were two reported multi-car pileups in the southbound lanes, one of which was burning.

Tregre said that the Louisiana region was "completely gridlocked" as a result of the accidents, thus all first responders had to be on foot.

"The situation is pretty bad."

The city of New Orleans announced in a statement on Monday that it is keeping an eye on an underground fire that is now raging in wooded wetlands situated between the Michoud Canal and Bayou Sauvage National Urban Wildlife Refuge.

According to the city, the intense heat of the summer and the absence of rain caused wetlands to dry up and the level of the water table to decrease. It further said that the fire under observation has been raging both above and below the surface.

Patchy regions of thick fog are likely, although not as extensive as Monday, according to the city, quoting the weather service.