At least four people have been killed following a two-vehicle head-on collision on the Stuart Highway earlier today, NT Police said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Schumacher said that about 12.50pm, police received multiple reports of a head-on collision involving two vehicles on the Stuart Hwy, about 2km south of the Marrakai Road turn-off, south of Manton Dam.

He said both vehicles were fully engulfed in flames, and there were no surviving occupants.

“Due to the severity of the crash, which appears to have been a high-speed head-on collision, both vehicles caught fire, making this an extremely complex investigation,” Snr Sgt Schumacher said.

“At this stage, we have confirmed at least four people have died. However, due to the extent of the damage, we are still working to formally identify the deceased and determine whether there were any additional occupants in either vehicle.

“One vehicle, believed to be a goods van, contains one deceased person. The second vehicle, a dual-cab utility, contains three confirmed deceased.”

Snr Sgt Schumacher said a section of the highway around the crash site remains closed while detectives from the Major Crash Investigation Unit investigate and traffic is being diverted.

He said detours for light vehicles will be implemented by the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure as soon as possible.

Heavy vehicles are unable to pass through the area at this time, and motorists are urged to avoid the area and expect significant delays.

The have been 22 people killed on the Territory’s roads this year, compared to 24 at the same time last year.