Safety · Appenweier and Olten
Two Swiss sisters, 17 and 23, killed in five-car pile-up on Germany's A5 motorway
Aulona, 17, and Erza Z., 23, from Olten died at the scene when a Volvo rear-ended their stationary car at the end of a traffic jam near Appenweier on Saturday.
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In brief
A 44-year-old Volvo driver rear-ended a stationary car at the end of a traffic jam on the A5, causing a five-car pile-up that killed two Swiss sisters.
Aulona, 17, and Erza Z., 23, from Olten, Switzerland, died at the scene. Erza was a deputy head of housekeeping; Aulona was an apprentice.
A lane-change accident around 11:30 a.m. led to a traffic jam. Shortly after noon, the Volvo crashed into the sisters' car, triggering the fatal pile-up.
The Swiss consulate in Stuttgart is assisting the family. German police are investigating whether inappropriate speed played a role.
- 20 JunLane-change collision causes first accident, vehicles stop on the A5.
- 20 JunTraffic jam forms; Volvo rear-ends stationary car with sisters, triggering five-car pile-up. Two women die at the scene.
The accident
On Saturday around 11:30 a.m., a lane-change maneuver on the A5 motorway near Appenweier, Baden-Württemberg, caused a side collision between two vehicles. Both drivers lost control and came to a stop, triggering a traffic jam. At the end of the queue, a small car with Swiss plates carrying the two sisters was stationary on the left lane. Shortly after noon, a 44-year-old man driving a Volvo failed to brake in time and rear-ended their vehicle. The impact pushed the car into the vehicle ahead, resulting in a five-car pile-up. The two women died at the scene. The Volvo driver and two other people sustained minor injuries. Material damage is estimated at 130,000 euros.
The victims
The sisters were identified as Aulona, 17, and Erza Z., 23, from Olten, Switzerland. Erza had completed higher vocational school and worked as deputy head of housekeeping at a nursing home. Aulona was in her second year of an apprenticeship. They were traveling to visit relatives in Germany.
Investigation and response
German police are investigating whether inappropriate speed by the Volvo driver contributed to the crash. The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths and said the consulate general in Stuttgart is in contact with local authorities and supporting the family. For privacy reasons, no further details were released.
Family mourns
The father described his daughters as being in the prime of their lives, and an uncle expressed grief on social media, writing that the family had welcomed the sisters for a holiday and a wedding but it was not meant to be. The family is preparing to bury the sisters in Kosovo.
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