Jean Todt calls for "more action to prevent tragedies" like that of Diogo Jota

A violent accident in Zamora (Spain) took the lives of footballers Diogo Jota and André Silva this Thursday. The special envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Road Safety, Jean Todt, came to lament these and all the other fatalities that occur on the roads every day.

The Frenchman, who until 2021 was president of the International Automobile Federation - FIA, took to the social network X (formerly Twitter) to react to what happened: "Unfortunately, road accidents cause the death of 3,300 people every day . Some are better known than others, but every life lost matters. Every death must be remembered, and more action must be taken to prevent tragedies like the one that took the lives of Diogo Jota and André Silva."

Jean Todt, who also enjoyed a successful career as a team leader in motorsport - notably Ferrari in Formula 1 - added: "Our thoughts and prayers are with their family - and with the families of all those who lose their lives or suffer life-changing injuries in road accidents every day."

Diogo Jota and André Silva were traveling in a Lamborghini Huracán. Spanish authorities believe that a tire on the car burst, leading to the violent skid that caused the fatal accident. However, according to Sky News, the possibility of excessive speed has not been ruled out.

The Portuguese international lost his life in the early hours of Thursday after suffering an accident in Zamora, Spain, after the vehicle he was travelling in skidded off the road and caught fire. André Silva, Diogo Jota's brother, also lost his life. The Guardia Civil is investigating the causes of the accident.

News to the Minute | 13:55 - 03/07/2025

Spanish authorities have admitted that the car accident that killed Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota and his brother in Zamora, Spain, may have been caused by a burst tire.

Lusa | 10:29 - 03/07/2025

According to the national sports press, Diogo Jota was on his way to Santander (Spain) to catch a boat and head to Portsmouth - after being advised by doctors against travelling by plane due to recent lung surgery.

The wake for the two footballers begins this Friday at 4pm at the Capela da Ressurreição in Gondomar, while the funeral will take place at 10am on Saturday at the Igreja Matriz in the same city.

Read Also: Tire burst: Understand the possible cause of Diogo Jota's accident