37 suspected illegal immigrants injured in Austria traffic accident

A number of 37 suspected illegal immigrants have been injured after two vehicles they were travelling in collided in Nickelsdorf, Austria on Monday morning.

Police said one of the two people-smuggling trucks is believed to have braked suddenly, caused the other to crash into it from behind. The first truck then skidded into a tree and flipped over.

Seven persons of the at least 70 illegal immigrants believed to be travelling in both vehicles were seriously injured and were taken to the closest hospitals, while others were treated at the scene.

A portion of the remaining passengers reportedly fled the scene, along with the people smugglers who themselves absconded in a separate vehicle that police speculate was travelling along for support, with still no trace of their whereabouts.

All vehicles were said to have been hired from a Vienna-based car rental service.

Traffic incidents involving people-smuggling activities have become almost a daily occurence in Austria of late, including a spate of related incidents over the weekend.