Freezing rain and ice has led to numerous traffic accidents in Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg. Several motorways were temporarily closed, and hospitals report high strain from injuries. The German Weather Service continues to warn of black ice risks.
Low 'Gunda' followed winter storm 'Elli' and brought freezing rain to northern Germany on Monday. In Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, precipitation froze on roads, creating mirror-smooth conditions. Rescue vehicles struggled to reach accident sites.
On the A7 between Henstedt-Ulzburg and Hamburg, multiple crashes occurred. Police reported a pile-up involving eight vehicles, injuring four people, two seriously. In another collision with three cars, two were hurt; a livestock transporter was involved, and some cattle had to be euthanized. The motorway was temporarily fully closed between Henstedt-Ulzburg and Quickborn towards Hamburg, with one lane reopened by evening. 'There is significant deployment on the entire A7,' said a police spokesman.
Similarly on the A210 near Rendsburg: Black ice accidents led to a full closure in both directions. The exact number of incidents was not yet known by evening, mostly involving minor damage.
In Kiel's city center, sidewalks and paths were covered in ice, making it hard for pedestrians to stay upright. The German Weather Service (DWD) had warned of black ice from freezing rain and advised avoiding drives and outdoor stays. Hamburg fire department warned: 'There is no load-bearing ice in Hamburg.' Hospitals are heavily burdened by black ice accidents, with many suffering fractures.
Schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Bremen remained closed. Rail services reduced speeds due to ice, causing delays. Tuesday will be milder with 3 to 5 degrees, but black ice risk persists until morning.
