Two seriously injured in car-truck collision on Portugal's EN123, traffic resumes alternately
A car and a truck collided on the EN123 highway between Ourique and Garvão in Portugal's Beja district on Monday afternoon, causing two serious injuries and a road closure that was partially lifted by evening.
Two people sustained serious injuries and a third was treated at the scene after a collision between a passenger car and a truck on the Estrada Nacional 123 (EN123) highway connecting Ourique and Garvão in Portugal's Baixo Alentejo region on Monday, 27 July 2026. The alert reached emergency services at 16:45 local time (15:45 UTC), triggering an immediate closure of the road to facilitate rescue and medical care.
The incident
The crash occurred at kilometre 52 of the EN123, which runs through the municipality of Ourique in the district of Beja. According to the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), one passenger car and one truck were involved. The circumstances leading to the crash are under investigation, and no further details about the victims' identities have been released.
Emergency response
The Comando Sub-regional de Emergência e Proteção Civil do Baixo Alentejo coordinated the response, mobilising 22 operacionais from the Bombeiros Voluntários de Ourique, the Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica (INEM), and the GNR. Six vehicles were deployed, including a Viatura Médica de Emergência e Reanimação (VMER), a mobile resuscitation unit, and an emergency medical helicopter. The helicopter is believed to have transported one of the seriously injured to a hospital, although authorities did not confirm the destination. One person was assessed and released at the scene without requiring further treatment.
Traffic disruption
The EN123 was completely shut down in both directions following the accident, forcing motorists to take alternate routes. GNR officers managed closures and detours on-site.
Gradual reopening
At around 19:10, authorities began allowing vehicles to pass alternately under police supervision.
- Alert given to emergency services
- Car and truck collide at km 52 of the EN123
- Alternate traffic flow resumed on the EN123
Investigation
The GNR's accident investigation unit will examine the scene to determine the cause. Both drivers may be tested for alcohol and other substances as part of standard procedure. No charges have been announced, and no fatalities were reported.
