The AP-7 highway returned to normal on Wednesday around 5:00 AM after an accident between two trucks near Castellet i la Gornal, in the Alt Penedès region, which had completely blocked the highway in both directions and caused traffic jams between Tarragona and Barcelona.
The collision led to the fire of one of the vehicles, which was carrying aerosols and insecticides, a cargo that required the activation of the Transcat plan for dangerous goods. This incident adds to a repeated sequence on the country's main transit route, where at least 18 truck fires have been recorded between 2021 and May 2026, the same period in which the highway eliminated tolls.
The fire forced the closure of the AP-7 in both directions in Castellet i la Gornal
The accident occurred in the municipality of Castellet i la Gornal. When one of the trucks caught fire, the flames and the column of smoke forced a complete interruption of traffic in both directions of the AP-7.
In addition to the closure, the incident impacted long-distance traffic between Tarragona and Barcelona, with traffic jams during the emergency response. The complete reopening did not occur until the fire was extinguished, the damaged vehicles were removed, and the road was cleaned.
At least 18 trucks caught fire on the Catalan AP-7 between 2021 and May 2026
The collision in the Alt Penedès fits into a series of incidents recorded on the Catalan section of the highway. Between 2021 and May 2026, at least 18 truck fires have been counted on the AP-7.
This count coincides with the period after the abolition of tolls on the road, a phase in which the AP-7 has concentrated a high volume of heavy traffic. In this context, other incidents have also occurred on high-capacity corridors, such as a truck on fire on the C-32.
The sequence of fires in heavy goods vehicles has also affected other points on the main network, with previous incidents such as a truck on fire in Vilademuls, also on a high-capacity highway.
Traffic was fully restored around 5:00 AM on Wednesday, after the fire was extinguished, the two trucks were removed, and the road was cleaned in the section of Castellet i la Gornal.