Liverpool star Diogo Jota has passed away after a car accident in Zamora, Spain, and the road on which the tragedy occurred has been described as a 'real danger' by locals online
Diogo Jota has tragically passed away
Diogo Jota has tragically passed away at the age of 28
(Image: Getty Images)
The road on which Liverpool star Diogo Jota lost his life in a car accident has been branded a 'real danger' by people online.
Reds forward Jota passed away at the age of 28 on Thursday morning in a road traffic accident, alongside his 26-year-old brother, André. The incident occurred on kilometre 65 of the A52 highway in Zamora, Spain.
Emergency services attended the scene, and the vehicle was on fire. Both Jota and his brother were declared dead by medical personnel. Reports in Spain state that police believe a burst tyre could have caused the event to occur.
The A52, where the tragedy occurred, has now been criticised online, and its safety is being questioned. One person branded it a 'goat track' due to potholes. However, it remains unclear if the road's condition had anything to do with the crash, and there has been no indication in early reports.
A statement made by the Lusa news agency revealed that the Guardia Civil, investigating the road incident, points to "the bursting of a tyre during overtaking" as the reason why Jota's vehicle crashed.
Pictures have since emerged showing a devastating crash, with the wreckage of the car lying on the roadside.
Video footage of the spot where Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota and his brother involved in serious crash.
A video posted online showed the aftermath of Jota's crash on the A52
In the wake of this incident, people have taken to social media platform X to brand the road dangerous, with one saying: "This is the highway/goat track where Diogo Jota and his brother died. I don't know if they had a puncture, or if an animal got in their way.... What I do know is that the A52 is in a deplorable state."
Another added: "You're absolutely right, when I come from France and I go to Vigo, I go through there and I'm always afraid of that road with all the potholes it has, it can break the suspension."
One more commented: "I drove around it once in 2023, and I found it to be in a terrible state. I can't conceive that it is still not being resurfaced." While a fourth said: "The puncture is easy, the road is full of potholes, it's a real danger."
Tributes have understandably poured in for the late Liverpool star and his brother, with celebrities, fellow footballers and fans expressing their shock and sorrow at the devastating news.
Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, released a heartfelt statement on Thursday, which read: "The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are completely devastated by the death of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, this early morning, in Spain.
"Much more than an amazing player, with almost 50 internationalizations for the National A Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with an infectious joy and a reference in the community itself.
"On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where, respectively, lined up the players.
"The Portuguese Football Federation has already asked UEFA for a minute's silence, this Thursday, before the match of our national team with Spain, in the women's European Championship. Lost to two champs. The disappearance of Diogo and André Silva represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football and we will do everything to, daily, honor their legacy."
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