A devastating traffic accident in western Romania claimed the lives of seven supporters of the Greek football club PAOK Salonika on Tuesday, plunging the nation and the European football community into mourning. The fans were traveling to support their team in a UEFA Europa League match in France.
The collision occurred around 1:05 p.m. local time on the E70 highway between the towns of Caransebes and Lugojel. According to local media reports citing dashcam footage, a black minivan carrying ten passengers attempted to overtake another vehicle.
During this maneuver, the minivan clipped a tanker truck, spun out of control, and was propelled into the opposite lane, where it collided head-on with an oncoming truck. The severe impact involved four vehicles in total.
Emergency services faced significant challenges as adverse weather conditions prevented rescue helicopters from reaching the site.
The Greek embassy in Romania confirmed that all seven deceased were PAOK fans traveling from Greece to Lyon for the match. Three survivors were extracted from the wreckage and transported to Timisoara University Hospital, located approximately 100 kilometers from the crash site.
Medical professionals are closely monitoring their condition. Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis stated that Greece is prepared to offer any necessary assistance, including facilitating the repatriation of the injured if medically advised.
The news sent shockwaves through Greece, with national and local leaders expressing profound grief. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated he was “deeply shaken” by the tragedy.
“The Greek government and our embassy are in close coordination with the local authorities, providing every possible form of support,” he said, extending his sincerest condolences to the families and the wider PAOK community.
PAOK president Ivan Savvidis described the event as “an unspeakable tragedy,” adding, “I am devastated by the unjust loss of young people, fans of our beloved team, who traveled to stand by our PAOK. I mourn with the families and millions of our compatriots”.
The tragedy has unified the often fiercely competitive Greek football landscape. Supporters’ associations from rival clubs, including Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, and Aris, set aside sporting rivalries to issue public messages of solidarity and condolence.
This show of unity underscores PAOK’s deep cultural significance in northern Greece, where the club is a central pillar of regional identity.
The match for which the fans were traveling, PAOK’s final Europa League group stage fixture against Olympique Lyonnais, remains scheduled for Thursday. In a statement, Lyon expressed its “sincere condolences” and confirmed that a tribute to the victims will be held before the match at Groupama Stadium.
The club also announced that the Greek embassy is coordinating with Romanian authorities to provide comprehensive support to the affected families. As investigations into the exact cause of the accident continue, a nation and a football community are left to mourn seven lives lost in pursuit of their passion.