At least eight people were killed on Tuesday and some 284 injured in the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) worst road accident when more than 200 cars piled up on a highway in Abu Dhabi in heavy early morning fog, according to media reports.

Rescue teams were on the scene immediately after the accident, as ambulances, helicopters and patrol cars rushed to the scene, theKhaleej Timesreported.

The police blamed the heavy pile-up crashes on poor visibility in dense fog.

A number of cars caught fire and were charred beyond recognition, eyewitnesses said. Zeeshan Javed, who narrowly survived the accident, said he counted 80 mangled cars.

“I have never seen an accident of this magnitude. This has to be the worst ever,” Javed said.