A vehicle rolled into pedestrians and a restaurant on Saturday night in the upmarket inner Athens suburb of Kolonaki, with reports of several injuries.
A Mercedes SUV patrons outside the Brunello restaurant at the intersection of Patriarchou Ioakeim and Loukianou Streets in Kolonaki, triggering a major emergency response shortly after midnight.
At least 9 people were injured in the incident. Seven ambulances transported them to the nearby KAT hospital, where most are reported to be in stable condition. However, it is understood that one person sustained serious injuries.
According to preliminary information, the Mercedes had no driver inside. The most likely scenario suggesting that the handbrake was not fully engaged, causing the vehicle to roll, uproot a tree, and crash into the restaurant’s outdoor seating area where patrons were gathered.
Traffic police temporarily blocked Loukianou Street between Patriarchou Ioakeim and Vasilissis Sofias, as well as Patriarchou Ioakeim between Irodotou and Ploutarchou, in both directions. The roads were reopened around 1:30am.
Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud bang followed by screams as patrons and passers-by panicked. The SUV reportedly hit about five restaurant tables before coming to a stop. It was later removed from the site by a tow truck.
It is understood that the presence of trees helped absorb the vehicle’s momentum, preventing more serious injuries or damage.
Hellenic Police (EL.AS.) statement:
“Earlier this evening on Loukianou Street in Kolonaki, a vehicle struck a business premises, injuring nine people. Police forces are on site and have coordinated their transport to hospital. The vehicle moved on its own due to being inadequately secured.”
Traffic was suspended on Loukianou Street from Patriarchou Ioakeim to Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, and on Patriarchou Ioakeim from Irodotou to Ploutarchou, in both directions.
