Extreme heat has caused growing damage to one of Germany's main east-west motorways, forcing additional closures and lengthy traffic delays as temperatures continued to soar across the country.
The affected section of the A2 motorway, which connects Berlin with western Germany, is steadily expanding near the town of Ziesar, according to police.
"The A2 is continuing to break apart," a police spokesman said on Saturday. "As a result, one interchange after another has to be closed."
Traffic is being diverted onto local roads, but authorities warned that some sections of the motorway in the Ziesar area, located in the eastern state of Brandenburg, have deteriorated so severely that vehicles can no longer travel safely across the surface.
The closures have led to traffic jams on one of Germany's most important transport corridors. Heat damage to the roadway was first identified on Thursday near Burg in the direction of Hanover and between Ziesar and Wollin on the route towards Berlin.
Major congestion has also developed on diversion routes, police said, urging motorists to avoid the A2 over a wide area if possible.
"Current traffic information on Google Maps is not accurate. Waiting times are significantly longer than indicated," a police spokeswoman said.
Drivers who nevertheless choose to travel were advised to prepare for long delays by carrying sufficient water, food and any medication they require regularly.
