(Lead)

Abu Dhabi, March 11 (IANS) At least eight people were killed Tuesday and some 284 injured in the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) worst road accident when more than 200 cars piled up on a highway in heavy early morning fog, media reports said. Rescue teams swung into action immediately after the accident on the highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai Road and ambulances, helicopters and patrol cars were rushed to the scene, the Khaleej Times reported.

The police blamed heavy pile-up in crashes on poor visibility in dense fog.

A number of cars caught fire and were charred beyond recognition, eyewitnesses said.

Zeeshan Javed, who narrowly survived the accident, said he had counted 80 mangled cars.

“There were others that were lying on the road, and still others with injuries waiting to be attended to by the paramedics,” said Imad Eldin, who regularly travels to his workplace in Dubai.

“I have never seen an accident of this magnitude. Some cars that had caught fire were charred beyond recognition. This has to be the worst ever,” Javed said.