Icy Road: Dozens of Vehicles Stuck on Bridge - Icy chaos paralyzes Hamburg’s Köhlbrand Bridge for six hours
Dozens of trucks and cars were left stranded on Hamburg’s Köhlbrand Bridge on Friday, 2 January 2026, after icy conditions made the steep incline impossible to climb. The chaos began when wintry weather turned the road into a slippery hazard, forcing police to intervene for over six hours. The trouble started as vehicles struggled to grip the frozen surface. One truck skidded sideways, completely blocking the lane and worsening the jam. At its worst, between 30 and 40 lorries were stuck on the bridge, with some drivers attempting risky manoeuvres to escape the gridlock. Police worked to control the situation, redirecting traffic and ensuring safety. Despite the long delays, no injuries or damage to vehicles were reported. Later in the day, Hamburg Service GmbH cleared the ice from the bridge, allowing normal traffic flow to resume. The incident caused major disruption but ended without serious consequences. Authorities managed the backup for six hours before the road was fully cleared. Drivers were eventually able to continue their journeys once the ice was removed.
