A truck released a massive 750 kg (1,653 lb) of sharp metal fragments onto one of Australia's busiest highways on Friday morning, causing extensive damage to hundreds of vehicles and leading to significant traffic disruptions, authorities reported.

The incident occurred on the M1 Pacific Motorway, located in New South Wales, early in the day, damaging over 300 vehicles’ tyres. The state police said the truck had spread metal debris over a stretch of more than 30 km (18.64 miles) before the spill was noticed.

New South Wales State Highway Patrol Commander Howard Collins explained that the cleanup would take "more than several hours," as the recovery process was far from simple. "It’s not just a matter of using road sweepers or brooms; we're employing magnetic devices and removing metal embedded in the road," Collins said.

He further emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Around 300 vehicles have been affected — possibly more. This debris has spread across more than 30 km, and we now know it totals about 750 kg of metal."

State Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison referred to the incident as "unprecedented," explaining that extensive resources from both the public and private sectors were being utilized for the cleanup. "It’s like trying to vacuum up an entire highway. It’s an extremely difficult task," she remarked.

The truck driver, a 46-year-old man, is fully cooperating with the investigation, according to police. The haulage company, NJ Ashton, which owns the truck, expressed regret over the accident. In a statement on their website, they apologized for the damage and disruption caused and stated that they were actively involved in the clean-up process. However, the company admitted that the cause of the spill remains unclear.