Authorities are still conducting search and rescue operations at the crash site, located in an area known as St. John the Baptist Parish. The death toll may rise as the efforts continue. Additionally, part of the scene caught fire after the initial accident, heightening the complexity of the situation. A large truck carrying a hazardous liquid had to be offloaded due to a compromised tank or trailer. Disturbing images captured after the incident depict scorched and mangled cars piled on top of one another.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards (D) has called for prayers and urged residents in affected areas to exercise extreme caution while traveling and to consider donating blood. Representative Troy Carter (D-La.) expressed devastation upon learning about the incident, describing it as truly heartbreaking.

Super fog conditions, caused by the combination of smoke and moisture from smoldering material like brush, leaves, and trees, mixing with cool, saturated air, can severely limit visibility to less than 10 feet. This phenomenon, termed “superfog” by the National Weather Service (NWS), has been known to cause numerous large, multi-vehicle pileups. NWS advises drivers to exercise caution by leaving early, driving slowly, using low-beam headlights, and maintaining extra distance between vehicles.

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Schools in the vicinity of the crash site announced a delayed opening on Tuesday citing the foggy conditions. The NWS released a statement on Monday evening, warning of dense fog on roads the following morning, which could potentially deteriorate into “near zero visibility conditions known as superfog.”

The NWS advises drivers to leave early, drive slowly, use low-beam headlights, and maintain extra distance between vehicles. It is even recommended to delay travel if feasible to ensure safety.