The tragic car accident that took place late Saturday night (5.7.25) on the Antirrio-Ioannina National Road in Agrinio has left the local community and the family of a 21-year-old victim in shock. The young man, who was driving, was completely burned alive after his car caught fire following a collision with a van. His 17-year-old female passenger managed to escape the vehicle, while the driver was trapped inside.
“They had attended a birthday party and were returning home with the girl,” said the young man’s uncle to newsit.gr. “The girl managed to get out, but Thanasis was burned alive. He had completed his studies as a refrigeration technician and was doing his internship to obtain his diploma. He loved boxing since he was a child.”
The accident occurred at around 23:40 near Polykadio, Agrinio, when the 21-year-old lost control of his car, veered into oncoming traffic, and collided head-on with a van driven by a 31-year-old man, with a 27-year-old woman as passenger. After the impact, the car struck metal barriers, flew over them, and caught fire, trapping the young driver inside.
Emergency services arrived quickly at the scene, and both female passengers were taken to the hospital for treatment, while the other driver was arrested. According to preliminary reports, all drivers involved had valid documentation.
The deceased’s family is devastated. His parents work at the Agrinio General Hospital—his mother in hematology and his father in radiology—and the wider family had been looking forward to spending summer holidays together in Preveza. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash.