A landslide has blocked both lanes of traffic on Romania's high altitude road Transfagarasan between the village of Capataneni and the Vidraru dam.

Covering the road with rocks and alluvial sediments, the landslide happened overnight on Sunday (September 29 to 30).

With no cars blocked in the area, authorities hope to clear the blockage before the end of the day.

The Transfagarasan is July opened to traffic every year between July 1 and October 31.

The spectacular Transfagarasan road was built on the orders of Communist era dictator Nicolae Ceausescu between 1970 and 1974 to ensure a military strategic route through the mountains. It includes Romania’s longest road tunnel (887 meters).

The iconic road was featured in the popular British motoring television show Top Gear.

editor@romania-insider.com