Baden-Württemberg has been gripped by severe winter conditions, leading to widespread accidents and chaotic traffic. On January 15, 2025, early morning reports highlighted the dangers of black ice, which created treacherous road conditions across the region.
The Stuttgart police reported over 100 accidents by 8:15 AM, reflecting the widespread impact of freezing rain overnight. "Gegen 5.15 Uhr ging es los, seither sind bei uns über 100 Unfälle eingegangen," stated the police spokesperson, underlining the sudden onset of hazardous driving conditions.
Overall, police across Baden-Württemberg identified more than 650 accidents by mid-morning, with significant reports from Ludwigsburg and Böblingen areas. Emergency services struggled to keep up with the volume of incidents, leading to delays and concerns about public safety.
According to meteorologist Thomas Schuster from the Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD), the conditions were caused by "dieser Glätte entsteht durch den ein bis zwei Grad warmen Sprühregen, der zwar in geringen Niederschlagsraten fällt, aber dann auf die -3 Grad kalte Straße fällt und dadurch gefriert." He warned drivers of the unique danger posed by black ice forming almost instantly as rain fell on freezing surfaces.
The impact extended beyond road trouble; numerous school districts were forced to close due to the unsafe travel conditions, and public transportation faced extensive delays. Reports indicated delayed bus and train services, with passengers advised to take extreme caution. Local transportation agency, VVS, noted potential hold-ups and safety concerns at stations as well.
Hospitals also felt the strain, reporting higher than normal patient loads due to accidents. Although most injuries were described as minor, the sheer number of incidents overwhelmed emergency departments, with one facility noting they typically handle 80 patients daily but received 50 from just this morning.
The authorities urged residents to stay home if possible, particularly as the freezing conditions were forecasted to persist throughout the morning. "Wegen Blitzeis sollte man derzeit nur in dringenden Fällen das Haus verlassen," cautioned the spokesperson from the Reutlingen police, emphasizing the importance of safety during such dangerous conditions.
A notable incident involved multiple vehicle collisions, illustrating the severity of the day’s events when ten cars crashed on one icy street, resulting in injuries. Witnesses described seeing cars sliding uncontrollably on slick roads.
Responses from the community illustrated widespread fear and confusion. Drivers reported moments of panic as they found themselves unable to control their vehicles. One local resident mentioned, "Die Straßen sind spiegelglatt, ich kam nicht von der Stelle," emphasizing how unexpected and slippery the conditions were.
The widespread chaos created by black ice has prompted the Stuttgart Integrated Control Center to bolster its emergency response teams, running at full capacity to deal with the incidents reported.
Public transport services have been disrupted, with the Stuttgart airport witnessing some delays as incoming flights diverted due to the conditions. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
Local police and weather services continue to monitor the situation closely, providing updates and warnings as the icy weather persists. Authorities recommended delaying non-essential travel and urged everyone to keep updated with local conditions.
With the warm front expected to improve the situation slowly by the afternoon, the community remained on alert, bracing for any new developments.