Thousands of chickens die in German motorway accident

Thousands of chickens have died after a lorry overturned on a motorway in central Germany, authorities said on Thursday.

The vehicle was carrying some 5,200 chickens when it toppled onto its side in the Harz district on Thursday morning, spilling its 15-ton cargo.

The cause of the accident remains unclear.

Surviving birds were roaming freely on and alongside the road near the city of Magdeburg following the incident, the city’s traffic and motorway service said.

Nearly 75% of the chickens did not survive the accident, district officials said.

Veterinary authorities as well as firefighters were called in to capture the animals.

Many of the birds were injured in the accidents and had to be culled.

The lorry driver was unharmed.