Totalni kaos na autocesti A3 kod Zagreba nakon prometne nesreće, kolona 15 kilometara

Two major traffic accidents have caused severe disruptions along Croatia’s motorways, one near Zagreb and another near Plitvice Lakes, creating chaos and raising concerns over safety and emergency response. On Friday, July 17, 2026, a collision involving a personal car and a tanker truck occurred on the A3 motorway near the Popovača exit, leading to a multi-kilometer traffic jam. Meanwhile, in the Plitvice Lakes area, a vehicle carrying five Danish nationals plunged off a cliff, leaving two children stranded above a deep gorge until they were rescued by helicopter. The accident on the A3 motorway took place around 9:10 a.m., approximately 86 kilometers from the start of the route, just before the Popovača exit heading towards Lipovac. The collision resulted in the tanker truck overturning and completely blocking the southern lane of the motorway. As a result, traffic was halted between the Križ and Popovača junctions in the eastbound direction, forming a long queue of vehicles stretching nearly five kilometers. According to the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK), drivers were forced to take an alternative route via the ŽC3124 county road. The police confirmed that traffic resumed in both directions by 8:10 p.m., although congestion had persisted throughout the day due to the accident and increased traffic volume. In a separate incident, a family of five, including two children, was stranded after their car slid off a steep slope near the village of Poljanak, close to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The vehicle came to rest hanging above a 30-meter-deep ravine, with its occupants unable to safely exit on their own. Emergency services, including firefighters, police officers, and members of the Rescue Service (HGSS), quickly arrived at the scene. They managed to extract four individuals, three adults and two children, before the helicopter ambulance team transported the children to the KBC Rijeka hospital. At the time of reporting, the children were found to be uninjured. The situation escalated further as the rescue operation required coordination among multiple agencies. According to reports, ten rescuers from the Gospić station of the HGSS were dispatched to assist. While the initial efforts by local fire departments and medical teams had already resolved 95% of the work, the HGSS personnel helped with the remaining tasks, including transporting the last injured individual. The head of the HGSS station in Gospić, Dario Cindrić, noted that the situation had been largely handled by other units upon their arrival. Emergency responders described the conditions at the site as extremely challenging. The car, which bore Austrian license plates, had come to rest precariously above the ravine, making access difficult. Firefighters from the JVP Plitvica Lakes unit stabilized the vehicle and worked alongside medical staff to extract the passengers. The presence of a helicopter ambulance ensured that the children received prompt care, even though they were not seriously injured. Meanwhile, the accident on the A3 motorway led to a significant disruption in regional traffic. The overturned tanker spilled fuel, prompting immediate cleanup efforts by firefighters. Despite this, the main concern remained the lengthy traffic buildup, which affected travel times and created delays for commuters and freight operators alike. The Croatian Automobile Club advised drivers to consider using alternate routes and to stay informed through real-time updates. Both incidents highlight the critical role of emergency services in responding to complex and dangerous situations. In the case of the Plitvice Lakes accident, the coordinated effort between ground crews and aerial support proved essential in ensuring the safe evacuation of all passengers. Similarly, on the A3 motorway, the swift action of the police and fire department prevented further complications during the early stages of the crash. As investigations into the causes of both accidents continue, authorities emphasize the importance of maintaining vigilance on the roads, particularly in areas prone to sudden terrain changes or high-speed collisions. Further details regarding the exact cause of each incident will become available once the official inquiry concludes. For now, the focus remains on managing the aftermath and supporting those affected by these tragic events.