A truck overturned inside the AP-7 tunnel in Pilar de la Horadada early this morning, leading to the tragic death of the driver. Witnesses reported that a tyre burst caused the driver to lose control, resulting in the vehicle rolling onto its side and catching fire. The blaze intensified due to the presence of flammable materials in the truck’s load, creating thick smoke that filled the tunnel. The driver was tragically trapped inside and could not escape.

Fire crews from Torrevieja, Almoradí, Orihuela, and Elx responded quickly to the scene, with firefighters arriving shortly after nine fifty six in the morning. They reported that the fire was under control by eleven oh one. Fortunately, a second truck in the tunnel was not affected by the flames, and its driver managed to exit safely. Traffic in the area is heavily congested as ongoing evacuation and firefighting efforts continue.

Local residents reported hearing numerous emergency sirens following the incident, which occurred during the daytime when the tunnel was active, accommodating a daily average of nineteen thousand vehicles. The incident caused alarm as the structure is not typically considered hazardous. However, there have been several accidents in recent years, including a prior fire incident in January of the previous year.

The tunnel is currently undergoing lighting upgrades by the Ministry of Transport as part of a three point five million euro modernisation project aimed at improving safety and energy efficiency. This includes replacing existing lighting systems with advanced LED units capable of intelligent control. Authorities hope that these upgrades will help prevent future accidents and enhance overall safety for drivers.