Tree falls on Benaki Street in central Athens, crushing parked car

Around noon on Thursday, 2 October 2025, a tree fell on Benaki Street in central Athens. It crushed a parked car and left a passing motorcycle passenger with minor injuries, while firefighters arrived within minutes, cut the trunk into sections, and police directed traffic so the street could reopen soon after.

Which streets are blocked?

The fall happened on Benaki Street in the city center. One lane was shut for a short time while crews worked, which caused brief slowdowns on nearby streets. Pedestrians were routed around the cordoned area until the debris was cleared.

Who was affected?

The parked car took heavy damage. According to early reports, the motorcycle passenger received first aid at the scene for minor injuries. No other injuries were recorded, and surrounding buildings show no visible damage.

How long will the disruption last?

Emergency teams finished the cut-and-clear work quickly, and traffic on Benaki Street picked up again soon after. Officials did not issue extra restrictions, but they asked drivers to be careful, as crews might return for follow-up cleaning.

What caused the incident?

Witnesses say the trunk split before it fell, though the exact cause is still unconfirmed. City specialists are expected to check the stump and nearby trees to avoid a repeat. The fall came while forecasts pointed to unstable weather in parts of Greece, but officials have not tied this case to the weather yet.

What should residents do?

• Report leaning trees, cracked trunks, or hanging branches to city services.
• Avoid parking directly under mature trees when the weather is unsettled.
• Follow police and firefighter directions around taped-off areas.

When will traffic return to normal?

Traffic on Benaki Street is already back to normal after crews removed the fallen trunk. Drivers may still see occasional slowdowns if teams come back to finish preventive pruning in the area.

Where to look for updates?

For updates, check the official channels of the Hellenic Fire Service and the City of Athens for any new safety notices or traffic advisories on tree work in the city center.