A terrible explosion broke the quiet atmosphere of an October afternoon in Madrid. Flames erupted from Karim Benzema’s red Ferrari, creating a giant fireball in the middle of Paseo de la Castellana. Police and rescue workers arrived within minutes, but it was too late. The car was completely burned, leaving only a pile of charred metal and a thick cloud of smoke covering the entire area.
According to the initial report from Madrid police, the accident happened at 4:27 pm. Benzema was traveling on a steep mountain pass when his Ferrari suddenly lost control, crashed into a barrier and exploded. The initial cause was determined to be a problem with the car’s braking system, causing the driver to lose control of his speed when going downhill. A witness who witnessed the horrific scene said: “We heard the brakes screeching, then the car flipped a few times before catching fire. We could only stand and watch, unable to do anything.”
In the first minutes after the explosion, people in the area rushed to call the police and fire department. However, the heat from the explosion was so great that rescue workers could not get close to the car immediately. More than 10 fire trucks and ambulances arrived at the scene within 10 minutes, but the Ferrari was completely burned. A police officer said: “When they arrived, there was only a pile of metal and debris. There were no survivors.”
Immediately, information about the accident began to spread on social media, with thousands of people watching live video and photos of the scene. Paparazzi were present at the scene, simultaneously recording images of the car burning fiercely, and news of the incident began to be reported by newspapers. On Twitter, the hashtags #PrayForBenzema and #GoodbyeBenzema began to appear, attracting the attention of fans and the media.
Madrid police confirmed that Benzema was alone in the car, who lost control as it began to roll downhill. Rescue workers were unable to save him, despite CPR and emergency medical assistance being performed at the scene. A doctor from the emergency team said: “We did everything we could. His heart stopped when we arrived, and his body was so badly burned that he was unrecognizable.”
At 5:05 p.m., a Madrid hospital officially announced Benzema’s death. His teammates, fans and friends in the sport were in disbelief. Thousands of fans gathered in front of the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where they lit candles and laid flowers in memory of the French football great. One die-hard fan, Pablo Ramos, shared on Instagram: “He was our inspiration. A legend gone too soon.”
At the hospital, Benzema’s wife, Cora Gauthier, was there immediately after hearing the bad news. A source said she nearly collapsed when she received the call. “She couldn’t stand when she received the news. Everything was a blur for her,” a close family friend said. Cora declined to be interviewed and was escorted inside the hospital to meet her family.
The global football community was shocked by the loss. Benzema’s friends and teammates shared their condolences. Lionel Messi wrote on Instagram: “Praying for his family. A great friend and player gone. Hard to accept.” Cristiano Ronaldo also posted a photo with Benzema, along with the message: “He will always be in our hearts.”
At the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, where Benzema played some of his greatest games, thousands of fans gathered to pay their respects. “Karim gave us great moments. He was not only a great player but also a great person,” said another fan.
The accident left the entire sporting world and French football fans in indescribable pain. Benzema’s image, his radiant smile and his brilliant goals will forever be remembered as part of the legend of modern football.
At 8:00 p.m., the French government sent its deepest condolences to Benzema’s family and called for a state funeral. “Benzema was a player who not only stood out on the pitch but was also a hero for the French people. The whole country will always remember him,” President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement.
As night fell, lanterns were released into the sky, illuminating the streets of Madrid, symbolizing the passing of a legend. The city stood still, in silence, remembering one of the greatest players of his generation.
Football lost a star, and Madrid lost a hero. But in the hearts of the fans, Karim Benzema will live on forever.
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