Rear-End Collision - A52 Reopened After Closure - A52 motorway reopens after kerosene spill from tanker truck collision

A major collision on the A52 motorway in Essen caused lengthy closures early on March 17, 2026. Two tanker trucks crashed overnight, spilling kerosene and forcing authorities to shut the route toward Düsseldorf for hours. The Autobahn GmbH later confirmed the road had fully reopened by morning.

The incident occurred in the early hours when two fuel tankers collided near the Essen-Huttrop Tunnel. The crash resulted in a kerosene leak from one of the vehicles, prompting immediate action from emergency services. As a result, the A52 was completely closed between the tunnel and the Essen-Süd junction in the direction of Düsseldorf.

The shutdown lasted from late night until around 9:00 AM, causing significant disruption for drivers. Traffic built up as motorists sought alternative routes. Once the spill was contained and the scene cleared, the Autobahn GmbH announced the reopening of both lanes toward Düsseldorf. No injuries were reported, but the clean-up operation took several hours to complete. Authorities worked through the night to ensure the road was safe for reopening by morning rush hour.

The A52 is now fully operational again after the overnight closure. The collision between the two tankers led to a kerosene spill and hours of delays for commuters. Emergency teams confirmed the road was safe before allowing traffic to resume.