Fallen tree, smashup cause traffic jams in Athens

A tree caused a massive traffic bottleneck that lasted hours on Kifissias Avenue, north of Athens, after it fell on live power lines on Wednesday morning.

Two of the three southbound lanes were blocked as authorities tried to remove the tree from the roadway near the suburb of Filothei.

Earlier on Wednesday, one person was slightly injured following a ten-vehicle smashup on the Athens-Lamia national highway near the Attiki Odos interchange on the direction towards Piraeus.

The accident occurred when a truck carrying flour crashed into eight cars and a school bus. No passengers were on the bus at the time.

According to early reports, the driver said there was a problem with the truck’s brakes.

In both instances, the accidents caused traffic jams that stretched for kilometers.