At least 10 people have died and 59 others are injured after a chain-reaction crash on a motorway in Turkey.

The pile-up, involving seven vehicles including a truck and three buses, happened in the northeastern province of Sakarya about 4.30am on Thursday (local time).

While the cause of the crash is yet to be determined, it is believed reduced visibility on the motorway due to dense fog was a factor, the Hürriyet Daily News reported.

Sakarya Governor Yaşar Karadeniz said some of those who died may have been struck by oncoming traffic as they exited their vehicles.

Ten people died at the scene and eight others are fighting for their lives in hospital, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said.

An investigation has been launched by the Sakarya Chief Public Prosecutor’s officer, Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç said.

Six drivers involved in the crash have been taken into custody and another will be detained after receiving medical treatment.