Chaos on highway to Zagreb: Four injured in accident, kilometer-long queues, tunnel closed

A severe traffic accident has brought the A1 highway to a standstill in Croatia, causing significant disruptions and injuries. The collision, which occurred between the Sveti Rok and Gospić junctions on the route towards Zagreb, has led to the closure of the highway in that direction.

According to the Croatian Auto Club (HAK), the accident involved a passenger car colliding with a patrol vehicle. Emergency services responded swiftly, with a helicopter dispatched to the scene. Four individuals sustained injuries as a result of the crash. Further details are expected following the completion of the investigation.

The closure has resulted in substantial traffic queues, with reports indicating they reached up to six kilometers at one point. Traffic is being rerouted via the state road DC50. Adding to the congestion, a vehicle breakdown within the Sveti Rok tunnel has further complicated the situation, leading to a four-kilometer queue and the closure of the tunnel in the direction of Zagreb.

This incident highlights the challenges of maintaining smooth traffic flow on major Croatian highways, especially during peak travel times. The combination of a serious accident and mechanical failures underscores the vulnerability of the infrastructure to disruptions.