A dramatic accident occurred shortly after 7am on Saturday (1/8) on the Athens-Lamia National Road, at the 123rd kilometre, just past the Martino bridge in Fthiotida.

Two lorries collided head-on, leaving one overturned at the roadside while the second mounted the motorway’s concrete central reservation and burst into flames. According to initial reports, the driver of one lorry, a Bulgarian national, lost control of his vehicle, crossed the central barrier and ended up in the opposite carriageway. The driver of the second lorry attempted to avoid a collision but was unable to do so; his vehicle overturned at the side of the road, while the first lorry mounted the barrier, caught fire and was completely destroyed by the flames.

The driver of the lorry that overturned was pulled out dead from the wreckage. Two people were travelling in the lorry that caught fire; both managed to escape, though one was injured. Panic broke out at the scene as thick smoke covered both carriageways of the motorway.

Traffic was suspended and diverted via alternative routes, while firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to the surrounding area. Two PZL firefighting aircraft were scrambled from Lamia airport to assist with the operation.

Thessaloniki-bound lane reopens

Traffic has been partially restored on the New National Road between Athens and Lamia at the 123rd kilometre, the site of the earlier crash. According to a further update from the General Regional Police Directorate of Central Greece, traffic is now flowing normally in the direction of Thessaloniki, while work continues to fully restore circulation on the road.