Dozens injured in collision of multiple vehicles in Bolu Tunnel

At least 31 people have been injured, two of them critically, in a collision involving over a dozen vehicles in Bolu, north-western Turkey, local authorities said on Saturday.

A total of 18 vehicles, among them passenger cars, trucks and buses, were involved in the accident in the Bolu Tunnel, according to the Bolu governor's office.

The Anadolu Motorway, which links the capital Ankara with Istanbul, remains closed as a result of the accident, the office added.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that scores of people needed hospital treatment for their injuries.

The reason for the accident was not immediately clear, according to TRT, but northern Turkey has seen heavy snowfall since Friday. Even before the accident, Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya had advised drivers to stay off the roads on Saturday.

Bolu Governor Ahmet Ümit told TRT that a minivan driver lost control and that other vehicles then crashed onto it. The tunnel was closed to traffic, the broadcaster added.

Footage from TRT showed intercity buses, trucks and cars piled up in the tunnel and heavy traffic on the Anadolu Highway.

One man was seen trapped next to the driver's seat in a minivan as rescue teams worked to help other wounded.