A suspected drink-driver has killed seven people in a horrific three-car motorway pile-up when cars burst into flames.
Five 19-year-olds in a Mercedes died in Germany when their car caught fire after a BMW trying to overtake another car drifted over to the wrong side of the motorway bypass.
The BMW then hit a Volkswagen Caddy, killing the 60-year-old driver when the car caught fire on the B247 motorway in the central German state of Thuringia, on Saturday around 5.30pm.
A 73-year-old passenger in the VW managed to pull themselves out of the burning car and survived, while a 44-year-old passenger in the BMW also died in the crash.
Police named the BMW driver only as 45-year-old Ronny L, due to strict local privacy laws, who is now in hospital with a second passenger from the car, aged 34, both in serious condition.
Police spokeswoman Fraenze Toepfer said: "We also suspect that the BMW driver was drunk and have ordered a blood test. The result is still pending."
The motorway was shut down after the accident, with investigators combing the scene, while the authorities are investigating Ronny L for negligent homicide.
Thuringian Police said in a statement: "The investigations into the cause of the accident are still ongoing after the serious accident on Saturday afternoon on the B247 near Bad Langensalza.
"There, around 5.30pm, a 45-year-old driver was driving in a BMW in the direction of Erfurt and encountered oncoming traffic, where he collided with two vehicles, a Mercedes and a VW Caddy.
"Both oncoming vehicles caught fire and burned out. For five young people, three men and two women aged 19, who were sitting in the Mercedes and the 60-year-old driver of the Caddy, any help came too late. They died in their vehicles."
The police added: "A 44-year-old occupant of the BMW also did not survive the accident. The 73-year-old passenger in the VW Caddy was able to escape from the burning vehicle.
"He and the other two occupants in the BMW, the driver and his 34-year-old passenger were taken to hospital with serious injuries.
"Since it could not be ruled out that the 45-year-old BMW driver, who does not have a driving licence, had been drinking alcohol, a blood test was ordered.
"The accident victims all come from the Unstrut-Hainich district, Eichsfeld and the district of Gotha.
"Investigations into the cause of the accident had begun in the evening, and pastors were present when the news of the death was delivered.
"These will also be the contact persons for the rescue workers and police officers deployed in the coming days. After the federal motorway has been cleaned, it must be checked to what extent the road surface has been damaged."
The statement also said: "Only then can it be determined whether the road can be reopened. The total damage caused is currently estimated at around EUR 70,000 (£61,600)."
Police have appealed for witnesses of the crash to come forward while the investigation is still ongoing.
