On Tuesday morning, a collision involving a motorcycle and two vehicles resulted in the closure of the southbound lanes of the Santa Venera tunnels, leading to a significant traffic jam during rush hour.

According to a motorist, the accident occurred at 7.39am, with the Honda motorcycle becoming wedged between a Ford Transit and a Citroen in separate lanes, causing damage to a Toyota from debris. The 24-year-old motorcyclist from Siġġiewi was transported to the hospital via ambulance.

Transport Malta officials arrived at the scene promptly and at around 8am, in an attempt to alleviate the congestion, diverted southbound traffic to one lane in the adjacent two-lane tunnel, resulting in slow-moving northbound traffic as well.

The tunnels were reopened by 8.30am, and traffic gradually improved, although readers reported prolonged traffic jams from the south of the island. One driver mentioned that it took them 20 minutes to travel from Vittoriosa to the Cottonera tunnels.

Photo via Chris Sant  Fournier