Dutch highway closed for hours due to sheep on the road

The A50 highway near Valburg was closed for hours on Wednesday evening because dozens of sheep were wandering around on the road. It is unclear where the animals came from.

Road users first reported the sheep at around 10:30 p.m., according to Omroep Gelderland. The authorities immediately closed two lanes to prevent accidents.

Motorists had already started containing the sheep when the authorities arrived. Police officers and Rijkswaterstaat employees took over. They managed to keep the animals together and guide them off the road, though the process took several hours.

The owner of the sheep did not come forward, so the animals were taken to another place of safety, the broadcaster said.

The highway only fully reopened after several hours.