A 20-year-old university student remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit after being seriously injured in a road accident outside the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH) in Crete.
The student, who was injured on July 16, remains intubated as doctors continue efforts to stabilize her condition, according to local reports.
The accident has reignited long-standing concerns about the safety of the road linking the University of Crete and the nearby FORTH research campus. Students, researchers and staff have repeatedly warned that pedestrians are forced to use the route despite the lack of adequate safety infrastructure.
Safety Improvements Announced
The incident was discussed during a meeting of Heraklion’s municipal council on Monday, where local authorities announced a series of measures aimed at improving road safety in the area.
The planned works include the construction of a sidewalk approximately 150 meters long, with part of the project to be carried out by a contractor and the remainder by the Municipality of Heraklion. A raised pedestrian crossing will also be installed at the location of the accident.
The city’s deputy mayor for civil protection said local authorities are coordinating with traffic police to increase patrols until the works are completed. Officials said they aim to finish the project by August to improve safety for students, employees and other road users.
The crash has sparked strong reactions across the university and research community, with students and staff calling for the long-standing safety issues to be addressed permanently.
