1 dead in 7-car crash on A12 near German border

One person was killed in a chain-reaction crash involving seven vehicles on the A12 near the German border near Babberich. Emergency services responded in large numbers, deploying four ambulances and a trauma helicopter that landed on the highway, according to Omroep Gelderland.

Authorities closed the A12 toward Germany until 9 p.m. for investigation and vehicle recovery operations. The cause of the crash remains unclear.

Officials said the accident may be related to German border controls, which have been causing frequent traffic jams on the highway.

The same stretch of road has seen multiple incidents. Early last month, a heavy chain-reaction crash involving five vehicles left three people injured, including a child.

Following that earlier collision, Doetinchem Mayor Boumans sharply criticized the situation and called on German border municipalities to act. “The controls lead to significant traffic disruption in our small villages and to serious accidents,” he said.