Snow hampered rescue efforts

The aftermath

The crash, involving at least 60 vehicles, was near the town of Seewalchen, on the main motorway linking Vienna and Salzburg.

A police spokesman said that low visibility caused by a major snowstorm was to blame for the accident.

Some victims were trapped in their vehicles, and falling snow was hampering rescue efforts.

Helicopters attempted to land at the scene, but some had to abort the rescue mission because of the heavy snowfall.

Around 40 Red Cross rescue vehicles have been sent to the scene, where they are working alongside the emergency services.

The Red Cross said a bus was involved in the incident.

At least five of the injured were in a serious condition and local hospitals have been put on stand-by to deal with the casualties.

The motorway has been closed in both directions.

This is not the first incident along this section of the motorway.

The Seewalchen to St Georgen section has seen several fatal crashes, mostly because of fog, in which 10 people have died since 2002.