Athens News Agency: News in English, 05-07-10

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] BOCOG vice-president Binghua praises Greece's impeccable Olympics, in meeting with deputy culture minister Petralia

[02] Car crash on notorious stretch of highway at Malliakos Gulf claims 9 lives

[01] BOCOG vice-president Binghua praises Greece's impeccable Olympics, in meeting with deputy culture minister Petralia

Petralia, who is visiting Beijing on the official invitation of the Chinese government, toured the main Olympic Stadium, the "heart" of the Beijing Games, and noted that China was proceeding at a rapid and intence pace in its Olympics preparations.

She said that Greece could transfer knowhow and experience to China's preparations, adding that "we are on a path of close cooperation" between the two countries.

Petralia said that the Olympics cooperation between Greece and China was "an important bridge between two great civilisations", giving a new dimension to the relationship developing between the two countries.

The Chinese people observed with great interest the "exceptionally successfull and unforgettable Olympic Games of Athens", Binghua said. "We are very impressed by Athens' Olympics organisation," he added, explaining that the Opening and Closing Ceremonies would be held at the National Olympic Stadium, nicknamed "Bird's Nest", just as they were held at Athens' OAKA stadium in 2004, as well as the soccer final.

[02] Car crash on notorious stretch of highway at Malliakos Gulf claims 9 lives

The accident occurred on the 203rd kilometer of the Athens-Lamia national highway when two passenger vehicles collided under undetermined circumstances, killing all six people in the south-bound car and all three in the north-bound vehicle. Another two vehicles struck the first two, which eventually veered off the roadway before bursting into flames.

Numerous traffic accidents, many with multiple fatalities, have been recorded on the Gulf of Malliakos stretch of Greece's main north-south road axis over the years due to the fact that the busy two-way highway isn't separated by a median and has insufficient road shoulders.

Another four fatalities and a same number of injuries was the result of a road accident in northern Greece, specifically near the Aghios Mamas resort town in Halkidiki prefecture. The accident occurred when a passenger vehicle collided with a truck, before dropping some 10 metres into a steep ditch.

Finally, another two traffic-related deaths were reported in the greater Athens area over the weekend, one involving a motorcycle driver.

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