Five Navarra regional agents died this Wednesday in a traffic accident in the municipality of Elgoibar (Gipuzkoa) after the van in which they were traveling collided with a tanker truck. The impact occurred around a quarter past nine in the morning on the AP-8, as reported by the Security Department of the Basque Government. The accident that occurred at kilometer point 69.1 ―in the Bilbao direction, where the link between the AP-8 and the AP-1 occurs― has forced the highway to be completely closed.
❗ The AP-8 is completely closed in both directions due to the accident that took place in Maltzaga. Bilbao direction closed from Elgoibar. Address Behobia, at the AP-1 junction in Eibar, closed.
— Gipuzkoa (@Gipuzkoa)
The about the accident. Sources from the Basque regional police consulted by EL PAÍS have avoided giving details about the circumstances of the accident. According to an eyewitness cited by the Basque newspaper and , The van “hesitated at the Maltzaga junction with the AP-1, collided with the median and remained crossed on the highway. The truck that was driving behind could not do anything and ran over it.”
The blow was so strong that the van moved about 20 meters, while the truck overturned and invaded the AP-8 in the opposite direction. All the occupants of the van have died, while the truck driver has been injured and has been taken to the Alto Deba hospital (Arrasate).
The five deceased agents belonged to the Special Interventions Group and were going to the central tactical support base of the Ertzaintza in Iurreta (Bizkaia) to take a training and specialization course, according to sources familiar with the incident.
The expressions of pain and condolences have continued throughout the morning. The King’s House has been “dismayed” by the tragic accident and Lehendakari Imanol Pradales has sent “solidarity, affection and condolences to the families and friends”, as well as to the Foral Police, the Government of Navarra and the Ertzaintza.
The Ertzaintza and the Security Department of the Basque Government have deeply regretted the deaths and have expressed their affection and solidarity to the relatives of the deceased, as well as to the Foral Police of Navarra and the Government of Navarra.
The Foral Police have conveyed all their love and support to the families and friends of the deceased and have thanked the condolences received from all over the country. In a brief statement, they have praised the collaboration of the Ertzaintza, as well as the authorities of their neighboring community.
I am shocked by the terrible accident in which five members of the
All my love to your families and colleagues for the loss of our public servants
He and I accompany you in this moment of pain
— María Chivite / ❤️ (@mavichina)
