12 kilometer traffic jam impedes transit between Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas

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PUERTO MONTT. - A traffic jam stretching for more than 12 kilometers, and even up to 17 kilometers for a few hours, severely delayed transit on the highway that connects Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt.  The congestion began at around 8:00am this morning, when all traffic had to be diverted due to an accident involving two trucks.

The collision occurred close to the Sangra regiment, on route 5 south and seems to have been caused by a lack of visibility due to fog and smoke from forest fires that are currently affecting the area. Visibility was reported to have been no more than 10 meters around each vehicle.

The same condition of nearly zero visibility also affected the side roads, creating a situation in which the congestion extended between the Presidente Ibañez sector in the heights of Puerto Montt all the way to Puerto Varas, blocking access completely. 

Traffic remained practically at a standstill throughout the morning hours.