Two Greek police officers injured in collision with tourist car on Athens-Sounio road

The collision

On Saturday night, August 8, 2026, at approximately 22:30, a serious traffic accident occurred on the Athens-Sounio road near the Pefko area, in front of the Pefko beach and close to Lagonisi. A rental car carrying four German tourists was traveling in the direction of Sounio when the driver attempted a U-turn to return toward Athens. One source describes the maneuver as extremely dangerous. During the turn, the vehicle traversed the roadway and ended up crosswise on the road surface, cutting into the path of a DIAS police motorcycle carrying two officers. The violent collision threw both officers from the motorcycle onto the road surface with force. One source reports the motorcycle was also traveling toward Sounio, while several others state the officers were moving in the opposite lane. Due to the minimal visibility and the near-zero reaction distance, the officers had no room to avoid the impact.

Road conditions and visibility

The stretch of road where the accident occurred is characterized by a sharp curve and restricted visibility. Two sources place the curve approximately 30 to 40 meters before the collision point, while another source places it 20 to 25 meters after the curve, and yet another describes it as only a few meters from the accident site. At the collision site, there is a bus passage opening that investigators are examining as the possible location where the driver attempted the U-turn. The sharp curve significantly limits driver visibility in the area. Given that the officers may have been traveling at a relatively increased speed, the sudden appearance of a vehicle attempting to change direction would have made timely reaction particularly difficult, according to the sources.

Medical response

Colleagues and EKAB rescuers rushed to the scene immediately after the collision and provided first aid to both officers before they were transported to the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens. One officer was described as being in a more serious condition. Several sources initially reported that the second officer had been discharged after receiving necessary first aid. However, a later update from police sources cited by one outlet confirmed that both officers remained hospitalized, suffering from various injuries and contusions. They were expected to need several days of hospitalization for full recovery. Despite the severity of the accident, neither officer's life was reported to be in danger.

Investigation

The German driver of the rental car underwent a breathalyzer test at the scene, which returned negative. The exact causes of the accident remain under investigation, with the Keratea Traffic Department conducting the preliminary inquiry. The restricted visibility at the sharp curve and the driver's decision to attempt a U-turn at that particular location are central to the investigation. The bus passage opening at the collision site is being examined as the possible point where the driver initiated the turn. The preliminary investigation is expected to clarify the precise circumstances of the collision.