On Thursday, June 26, a head-on collision between two cars caused the death of three people on the A8 motorway, near Mandelieu-la-Napoule, in the Alpes-Maritimes. A fourth victim was seriously injured. The motorway was completely closed for several hours, causing significant disruptions.
The accident occurred early in the morning, around 6:40 a.m. Two vehicles collided head-on at kilometer point 161 on the A8, in the direction of Aix-Italy. The crash, of great violence, resulted in three deaths on site. Another person, in critical condition, was transported to the hospital.
The response from emergency services was swift. Twenty-three firefighters and nearly ten vehicles were mobilized at the scene. Despite their efforts, they could not revive three of the four people involved.
The identities of the victims have not yet been released. An investigation is underway to understand the precise circumstances of the collision.
Highway blocked and traffic heavily disrupted
The impact on traffic was immediate. Traffic was completely halted on the A8, in the Mandelieu area. A mandatory exit was set up at exit 39 Les Adrets for light vehicles. Several entrances to the motorway were closed: Mandelieu Est (41), Mandelieu (40), and Les Adrets (39).
The authorities also advised against accessing exits 36, 37, and 38 due to significant traffic jams. At 10 a.m., motorists had to wait over 30 minutes in the traffic jams. The reopening of the highway began gradually around 9:20 a.m.
The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Laurent Hottiaux, reacted on social media. He expressed his support for the families of the victims and praised the intervention of the rescue and security forces.
The firefighters asked motorists to avoid the area until further notice. Vinci Autoroutes issued recommendations on closures and encouraged users to check traffic conditions by listening to Radio Vinci Autoroutes (107.7).
This accident strikes another blow to road safety in the region. At this time, the exact circumstances of the collision are not known. Investigators will need to determine the causes of the head-on collision: driving error, loss of control, or other factors. Witness statements and initial findings should provide information in the coming days.
