Massive pile-up on the Messina-Palermo highway: eighty vehicles involved, tunnel evacuated

This morning, numerous teams from the firefighters of the Messina command responded to a massive accident involving approximately 80 vehicles. Around 8:45 AM, inside the Villafranca tunnel, on the highway section between Milazzo and Rometta heading towards Messina, a major chain collision occurred involving about 80 vehicles, including cars, vans, and heavy vehicles. Highway traffic is completely blocked to allow for the complex management of the emergency and the evacuation of those involved inside the tunnel.

The A20 highway is closed in the direction of Palermo before the Rometta Marea exit, with mandatory exit. All traffic has thus been diverted to the state road 113 that crosses the small towns of the Messina area. According to reports, traffic jams have also formed in the towns, trapping hundreds of motorists. 

The firefighters are operating with several units to untangle the vehicles, assist the numerous occupants of the vehicles, and secure the fuel tanks, in an extremely critical operational context due to limited space. On-site, in close coordination, police personnel are also engaged in managing traffic and conducting investigations, along with emergency medical personnel from 118 to assist those involved. The intervention is still ongoing.