Four people have died in a single-vehicle collision in Armagh, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.
Police also confirmed that a man has died after a separate crash in Newry.
The crash in Armagh involving a grey Volkswagen Golf occurred on the Ballynahonemore Road at around 2.10am on Sunday.
District Commander Superintendent Paul McGrattan said: “This is an unspeakable tragedy for the families involved, and for the wider community, who will understandably struggle to comprehend such loss of life.
“A thorough and sensitive investigation is now under way and anyone with information that could assist us is asked to get in touch with the Collision Investigation Unit.
“Police remain at the scene at present and the Ballynahonemore Road will be closed for most of the day.
The collision investigation unit can be contacted on 101 or online at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson described it as a “devastating incident”.
In a post on X, Sir Jeffrey said: “Tragic news coming from Armagh.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the four deceased in this devastating incident.”
Officers received a report of a collision involving a male pedestrian and a Nissan car at around 10.40pm on Saturday night.
The man was taken to hospital following the collision but died from his injuries a short time later.
The Forkhill Road was closed for a number of hours but has since reopened.
Inquiries into the collision are ongoing, and officers from the Collision Investigation Unit appealed to anyone who was travelling in the area at the time of the collision, or who has any dashcam or mobile phone footage, to contact them at Sprucefield on 101, quoting reference number 1661 23/03/24.
He said: “A sense of profound shock has gripped the entire community of Newry and Armagh in the aftermath of these two crashes which, in the space of a few hours, have ushered five lives out into eternity.
“I offer the sympathy of my party and myself to the loved ones left behind.
“I trust the police investigation will get to the bottom of what exactly took place.
“Regardless of the circumstances, however, these tragic accidents are a sobering reminder of the need for care on our roads.”
