The KNMI weather bureau on Saturday issued a code yellow weather warning for much of the country because of a combination of icy roads and mist.

There were several accidents in the early hours of Saturday because of the difficult driving conditions. On the N366 in Groningen, two cars were involved in a head-on collision and one of the drivers was seriously injured.

On the N34 near Borger, several cars skidded off the road, and slip roads for the N31 at Leeuwarden were closed for a time after several cars ended up in the verge.

The KNMI said mist and icy roads would remain well into the morning. The weather warning is in force nationwide, apart from the Wadden Islands and the three southern provinces.

The freezing conditions led to several fatal car accidents earlier in the week, with a total of five fatalities on Thursday and Friday.