A serious traffic incident unfolded on the A31 highway early on the morning of December 21, 2024, as a truck transporting 150 pigs overturned near Robécourt, causing substantial traffic disruptions. The accident occurred shortly before 4 AM, leading to widespread chaos as several of the pigs escaped onto the highway.
According to local authorities, the truck tipped over on its side, resulting in the closing of the highway and leading to traffic jams stretching for miles. Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with pigs wandering between vehicles, creating scenes more characteristic of rural life than the busy highway. One shocked driver remarked, “I was shocked to see pigs running on the highway! It’s surreal!”
The Local Fire Department of Vosges quickly mobilized to respond to this unusual emergency situation, which required specialized rescue animal handling expertise due to the number of pigs involved. By midday, officials had confirmed the scope of the chaos on the highway, where motorists reported being stuck for hours. Miguel Vandamme, a Belgian traveler caught in traffic with his children, expressed his frustrations, stating, “We had to stay stuck for six hours on the road. This is unacceptable!”
The authorities initially announced the traffic was blocked between the Robécourt and Montigny-le-Roy exchanges, later extending the advisory to include areas as far back as Luxembourg-Beaune. With the holiday travel rush underway, the traffic congestion quickly escalated, leaving many motorists stranded.
During the day, reports emerged about how many of the pigs sustained injuries from the accident. Sadly, many did not survive the ordeal. Emergency crews faced the additional challenge of containing the escaped pigs. “The operations are almost complete, and the APRR has started cleaning up the roads to allow traffic to resume,” stated Thomas Kupisz, sub-prefect of Vosges, as he provided updates on the situation.
Meanwhile, the Hautes-Vosges Chamber of Agriculture coordinated the safe handling of the live pigs, which were necessary for potential relocation to the local slaughterhouse for urgent processing. Local facilities scrambled to assist and manage the situation effectively, but the event raised serious inquiries about the conditions of transporting animals over long distances.
Public sentiment began to split over the ethics of transporting livestock interstate. It sparked heated discussions among animal rights advocates, stating, “150 pigs packed like sardines is unacceptable! We need stricter regulations!” This incident not only brought focus to the immediate aftermath of the accident but also ignited concerns about animal welfare standards on highway transportation.
Authorities urged motorists to avoid the affected areas entirely, emphasizing safety first as they worked to clear the roadway. Many drivers expressed their frustration over the prolonged delays, with some pointing out the inadequacy of information provided during the crisis. Despite the significant amount of time lost, some motorists unable to reach their planned destinations shrugged it off, sharing laughs over the improbability of pigs blocking the highway.
By late afternoon, traffic had finally begun to resume, but the day was certainly unforgettable for those involved. This bizarre event left not just chaos on the roads, but also a lasting impression on the holiday travelers who had to navigate around the unexpected pig parade.
While the highway cleared, the focus then shifted on reporting and assessing what precisely led to such a dramatic accident. The investigation remains open, with authorities examining whether vehicle regulations may need to be tightened, particularly concerning animal transport to prevent similar occurrences and safeguard the welfare of animals being sent to markets.
With holiday travel still at large and memories of this peculiar disturbance fresh on their minds, travelers returned to their normal routes, carrying forth stories about the morning they encountered pigs on the A31—making for hilarious holiday tales worth sharing around the dinner table.
