At least three people were killed Friday in a fiery multi-vehicle crash in a Melbourne tunnel that led to an explosion and forced hundreds of motorists to evacuate, rescue services said.
Three trucks and four cars were involved in the pile-up in the Burnley Tunnel, which took place shortly after 10:00 am (2300 GMT Thursday), Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade spokesman David Mann said.
"At this stage there are three deceased," Mann said. "The fire-fighters are in the tunnel. There's a diesel leak from one of the trucks but the fire is extinguished." Hundreds of motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles and leave the 3.5-kilometre (two-mile) tunnel on foot after the accident, which sent plumes of thick black smoke spiralling up through ventilation shafts.