Tragedy struck on Tuesday in western Romania as seven supporters of Greek football club PAOK Thessaloniki lost their lives in a devastating road accident. The news was reported by AFP.
The incident occurred when a minibus carrying the fans collided head-on with a truck. Local authorities confirmed that three others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention. Emergency services arrived promptly at the scene, but despite their efforts, seven young Greek fans were pronounced dead.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed profound sorrow over the incident in a message posted on social media. He stated,
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of seven young Greek citizens in Romania. My heartfelt condolences go out to their families and to the entire PAOK Thessaloniki football family.”
PAOK’s club president, Ivan Savvidis, described the accident as an “indescribable tragedy” and extended his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. The club has announced that it will honour the victims with a minute’s silence before their Europa League match against Lyon on Thursday.
The match, set to take place tomorrow, will be overshadowed by mourning as players, staff, and fans pay tribute to the lost supporters. Local authorities have launched a full investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Preliminary reports suggest that icy road conditions and excessive speed may have contributed to the collision.
A summary of the incident is outlined in the table below:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location of Accident | Western Romania |
| Number of Fatalities | 7 |
| Number of Seriously Injured | 3 |
| Nationality of Victims | Greek |
| Vehicle Type | Minibus |
| Collision Type | Head-on with truck |
| Affiliated Club | PAOK Thessaloniki |
| Scheduled Match | PAOK vs Lyon (Thursday) |
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief across the Greek football community. Fans have taken to social media to post tributes and share memories of those lost. Several supporter groups have announced plans for commemorative gatherings prior to the Lyon match.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by travelling fans and the importance of road safety, even as communities unite to celebrate the passion of sport. PAOK officials have confirmed they will provide support and counselling for both the injured and the families affected by the crash.
As the Europa League fixture approaches, the football world mourns the loss of seven devoted supporters whose lives were cut tragically short while following their team.