The accidents began shortly after 13:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Sunday, when there was heavy fog in the area.

BBC: Deadly pile-up in southern Virginia

The area was under a dense fog advisory at the time of the pileup, said Laura Belanger, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.

NPR: Authorities: 4 Dead In Fiery Highway Crash In Ga.