A truck loaded with around 160 live pigs overturned on the Autobahn 2 near Hamm in North Rhine-Westphalia. About 30 animals then escaped from the vehicle and ran into a nearby forest, the police reported. The fire department is also on the scene trying to recapture the animals.
The heavily trafficked A2 is completely closed in both directions between Hamm and Hamm-Uentrop for safety reasons. "Please avoid the area," the police requested on the short messaging service X.
It is assumed that the highway will remain closed for quite some time, said a spokesperson. On one hand, the animals need to be captured. On the other hand, the police must organize another truck for animal transport to remove the pigs from the highway.
Exactly how the accident happened was initially unclear. According to initial findings, the truck driver had veered into a guardrail without external influence. As a result, the animal transport overturned onto its side.
