The stretch of road where Liverpool soccer star Diogo Jota tragically passed away following a car crash has been labelled a "real danger" by users on social media.
The 28-year-old died early Thursday morning local time alongside his 26-year-old brother, Andre Silva. The fatal crash happened on Spain's A52 motorway near Zamora.
Emergency responders quickly arrived, finding the vehicle engulfed in flames. Sadly, both men were pronounced dead at the scene. A tire explosion triggered the accident.
A Civil Guard representative involved in the case commented: "The investigation into the crash is being carried out by Civil Guard traffic officers. We believe the car suffered a blowout from the marks on the road. The full police report once it is completed will be submitted to a duty court in Zamora which has launched an ongoing judicial investigation into this crash.
"That report is going to take time to complete, probably about four or five days but possibly longer. At this moment in time it is impossible to say at exactly what speed the car was going but that is something the Civil Guard investigators will be able to detail at least approximately in their final report from things like the skid marks. What I can confirm is that no other vehicle was involved and no-one else was hurt."
In the aftermath of the tragedy, users online have voiced serious concerns about the condition of the A52, where the fatal event took place. One person went so far as to describe it as a "goat track" plagued by potholes. Yet, authorities have not confirmed whether the state of the road played any part in the collision.
A view from the traffic accident of the Portuguese Liverpool player Diogo Jota who lost his life in Zamora, Spain
A video posted online showed the aftermath of Jota's crash on the A52 (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photos from the scene later surfaced, showing the severely damaged car resting by the side of the road. In response to the accident, many people have taken to social media platform X to express their concern, with one individual writing: "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 user agreed: "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."
A third remarked: "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." And a fourth stated: "The puncture is easy, the road is full of potholes, it's a real danger."
In the wake of the heartbreaking incident, tributes have flooded in from around the world. Fans, players and public figures have mourned the sudden loss of both brothers.
Diogo Jota with his brother André Silva at Porto
Diogo Jota with his brother Andree Silva at Porto (Image: Porto)
Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca shared an emotional message on Thursday: "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."
Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool. He joined the club from Wolves in a $61million (£45m) deal in 2020, and went on to win the FA Cup and League Cup in 2022, as well as the Premier League earlier this year.