A serious crash involving three cars forced the closure of the AP-7 towards Barcelona at El Papiol. Emergency services responded with multiple units. Significant delays and traffic jams developed in the area.
Traffic on the AP-7 motorway in the direction of Barcelona came to a standstill on Saturday afternoon after a collision involving three cars near El Papiol. The incident, which occurred around 16:05, led authorities to close the road and its connection to the B-23, causing immediate disruption for drivers heading into the city.
According to the Servei Català de Trànsit, congestion quickly built up from Sant Cugat del Vallès, with vehicles backed up for several kilometers. Emergency services, including seven units from the Bombers de la Generalitat, were dispatched to the scene to assist and extricate several people trapped inside the damaged vehicles. The 112 emergency hotline received the first reports of the accident shortly after it happened, prompting a rapid response from rescue teams.
While crews worked to clear the wreckage and free those inside, authorities urged motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. The closure of the AP-7 in this key section not only affected local traffic but also had a ripple effect on surrounding roads, intensifying delays throughout the region. In a separate incident, another accident on the same motorway near El Vendrell in Tarragona province led to the closure of one northbound lane, further complicating travel for those heading through Catalonia.
Major accidents on Spanish highways often result in significant traffic disruptions, as seen in previous cases such as a serious wrong-way crash on the A-62 near Dueñas that left several people injured and forced authorities to close the road for hours. These incidents highlight the challenges faced by emergency services in managing complex rescue operations and restoring normal traffic flow on some of Spain’s busiest routes.
The AP-7 is one of the main arteries connecting Barcelona with the rest of Catalonia and the Mediterranean corridor. Disruptions on this route can have wide-reaching effects, especially during weekends when traffic volumes are higher. The swift intervention by emergency teams is crucial in minimizing risks and ensuring the safety of those involved. As of Saturday evening, authorities continued to monitor the situation and coordinate efforts to reopen the affected sections as soon as possible.
