Five officers from the Navarrese Regional Police have died in a very serious accident that occurred this morning on the AP-8 highway in Elgoibar, marking the deadliest incident in the region this century. The tragic event happened when a van, carrying the five deceased, collided with a tanker truck as both vehicles were traveling towards Bilbao. The highway remains completely closed in the direction of Eibar, although one lane towards Donostia has been reopened.

According to the Basque Department of Security, the accident occurred at 9:15 AM when a truck carrying sugar and a van collided for reasons yet to be determined while traveling towards Bilbao. Pending the investigation report by the Ertzaintza to clarify the circumstances of the fatal accident, witnesses reported that the van veered off the road just at the Maltzaga junction with the AP-1 (p.k. 69). Apparently, the vehicle hit the central barrier and ended up crosswise on the highway. The truck, approaching from behind, could not avoid the collision and dragged the van for several meters, leading to the tragic deaths of the five occupants.

Despite initial attempts to resuscitate one of the van's occupants, all five died at the scene, as confirmed by the dispatched medical services. The deceased officers belonged to the Central Intervention Brigade and the Special Intervention Group of the Navarrese Regional Police. They were traveling to the Iurreta base of the Ertzaintza for a meeting to test various materials. The bodies have been transferred to the Basque Institute of Legal Medicine for autopsy.

The driver of the truck involved in the accident sustained injuries, though not serious, and was airlifted to the Alto Deba Hospital. As a result of the impact, the trailer ended up on the median, invading two lanes - the central and the left - of the highway heading towards San Sebastián.

Several emergency services responded to the scene, including the Ertzaintza, two medicalized ambulances, and four light vehicles from the fire departments of Azpeitia and Eibar to assist in the rescue efforts. Following the accident, the road was closed to traffic in both directions. At 10:40 AM, the right lane towards Donostia was opened, but the highway remains closed towards Bilbao from the Maltzaga junction. Traffic is being diverted via the AP-1. According to Bidegi, this situation is expected to continue until the truck is removed, likely this afternoon, after which the road will be cleaned.

The Ertzaintza has launched an investigation to clarify the circumstances of the fatal accident. The tragic event has cast a pall of mourning and filled with 'deep sorrow' institutions in both Gipuzkoa and Navarra. Condolences have been expressed from both sides of the border since the extent of the tragedy became known. The Government of Navarra is preparing an institutional tribute to the victims. The Deputy General of Gipuzkoa, Eider Mendoza, lamented the 'dramatic' accident on the territory's roads and joined in the 'grief' of the families and friends of the deceased.

For its part, the Navarrese Regional Police, the force to which the five deceased officers belonged, expressed their condolences for the loss of their colleagues. 'We want to convey all our love and support to the families and loved ones of our fallen colleagues, with whom we share this deep pain that we all feel and which will leave an indelible mark on our memory,' they stated in a release.