A truck loaded with fuel overturned and went in flames on the Athens – Corinth highway on Friday night. The accident severely damaged a bridge and had Greece ‘cut’ into two, as voters have been heading to their hometowns and villages in Peloponnese.
The accident took place near the Isthmus of Corinth around 10 o’ clock on Friday night, while the truck was nearing a bridge.
The driver managed to escape the inferno and was transferred to a local hospital where he remains also on Saturday with relative minor injuries. The 60-year-old man was initially arrested but then released under a prosecutor’s order.
He reportedly told authorities that one of the front tires hit on some object on the road, it went flat and he lost control of the vehicle before it overturned.
However, at this point there are no cameras to confirm or not the driver’s claims. Blood tests are pending to determine any alcohol or substance use.
The truck was transporting fuel to a private company in the island of Zakynthos.
Firefighters, police and authorities in change rushed to the area, while the Infrastructure Ministry called a construction company that deployed crews and machinery as soon as it was possible.
The heat wave of the fire had reportedly caused static problems on the bridge.
“The bridge was deemed unsafe and had to be demolished,” Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Nikos Tachiaos said told media. He added that works may last one week.
The bridge is currently being demolished, while the works are have forced police to close at least one lane of the highway.
Vehicles heading form Athens to Corinth are being redirected via the Athens-bound lanes. Heavy trucks over 35 tons are banned from the affected section today until 11 p.m., and tomorrow from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Police investigates the causes of the accident.
Saturday noon, the Emergency Alert System 112 sent a warning via sms about significant traffic delays from Elefsina to Corinth on the Olympia Odos highway.
Travelers are advised to delay departures to avoid congestion.
Around 4 p.m. on Saturday, media reported that the highway was again given to traffic.
