The pile-up unfolded Wednesday morning at a toll booth on a highway in central Colombia, where local authorities said it killed at least two people and left 19 others injured. Gov. Emilio Rey said the crash began when a milk truck lost control of its brakes and struck six other vehicles and a motorcycle that were at the toll station.
Rey placed the crash on a highway in the Cundinamarca region about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Bogota, the capital. Witnesses described explosions during the collision, and images broadcast by Colombian media showed vehicles engulfed in flames and destroyed.
Hollman Osma, a witness interviewed by local outlet Noticias Caracol, said he saw the truck go through the toll booth before an explosion, the truck overturned, and “there were strong explosions and vehicles burning.” Osma added that, in his view, “There was absolutely nothing that could be done.”
Rey said the injured were being treated in nearby hospitals, but he did not provide additional details about their conditions. He also said the response mobilized at least 11 ambulances, firefighters and police officers at the scene.
Colombian media images showed people crying while helping or rescuing those trapped in the aftermath. Rey said the road remained closed as crews worked at the crash site.