Two people have died and five others have been seriously injured in a multiple accident on the AP-7 near Benahavís. A tanker truck carrying fuel collided with a crane and a taxi that were assisting a broken-down vehicle, causing a fire.
The incident occurred around 17:50 hours at kilometre 1069 of the AP-7 motorway, in the municipality of Benahavís, very close to Marbella. According to the Emergency Services 112, a tanker truck transporting fuel crashed into a crane and a taxi that were stopped on the shoulder assisting the occupants of a broken-down car.
The violent impact caused the tanker truck to catch fire, with flames quickly spreading to the surrounding vegetation, near the botanical garden in the area. Firefighters from Estepona and Marbella, along with a team from Infoca, arrived at the scene to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to the forest area.
Two dead and five seriously injured
The emergency services confirmed the death of two people at the accident site, whose identities have not been disclosed. Additionally, five injured individuals with varying degrees of injuries were transferred to several hospitals in the province: the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella, the Regional Hospital of Málaga, and the Punta Europa Hospital in Algeciras (Cádiz), as detailed by 061.
The fire from the tanker generated a thick column of smoke that could be seen from kilometres away. Infoca mobilised 26 ground personnel, a medium helicopter, another light helicopter, and a fire truck to extinguish the flames. Ultimately, the forest fire was extinguished without affecting nearby homes.
Closure of the AP-7 and alternative routes
The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) was forced to close the AP-7 motorway in both directions at kilometre 1069, establishing an alternative route via the national road N-340. The closure caused significant traffic delays in the area for several hours, affecting drivers travelling between Marbella and Estepona.
The traffic accident investigation teams of the Civil Guard are working to clarify the causes of the incident. According to initial hypotheses, the tanker truck may not have been able to brake in time upon encountering the stopped vehicles on the shoulder, although all possibilities are being investigated.
This tragic accident highlights the risks of driving on the high-capacity roads of the Costa del Sol, especially in sections with curves or slopes. The AP-7 is one of the main arteries of the province of Málaga, with a high volume of traffic, especially during peak season.
“It is an accident with terrible consequences. Our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” stated a spokesperson for the Emergency Services 112.
The injured remain hospitalised, receiving specialised medical care. The condition of some of them is serious, according to health sources. Local residents have expressed their shock at the incident, in an event that has shaken the region of the Western Costa del Sol.
