Fire-Engulfed Fuel Tanker Shuts Down Moscow-St. Petersburg Highway

Blaze Halts Traffic on Vital Russian Thoroughfare

Emergency personnel are currently battling a massive blaze involving a fuel tanker on the M-11 highway in the Tver Oblast, leading to a complete standstill of traffic towards Saint Petersburg.

According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, with flames engulfing the tanker and spilling over onto the roadway. The inferno has caused severe damage to the tanker and its contents, resulting in the closure of the highway in both directions.

Authorities Urge Motorists to Seek Alternate Routes

Local authorities have issued an urgent appeal to motorists to avoid the affected stretch of the M-11 and seek alternative routes. The highway is a key transportation artery connecting Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the closure has disrupted travel plans for thousands of commuters and freight carriers.

Emergency services are working diligently to extinguish the blaze and clear the roadway. However, authorities caution that the operation could take several hours, and traffic disruptions are expected to persist throughout the day.

Cause of Fire Under Investigation

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with officials yet to determine the exact circumstances that led to the incident. Preliminary reports suggest that the tanker may have been involved in a collision before catching fire.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.