Seven PAOK fans die in an accident on the way to the game in Lyon

Minibus destroyed after risky overtaking maneuver

Video footage from Greek television shows the PAOK fans’ minibus colliding head-on with a truck after an overtaking maneuver. The vehicle was completely destroyed in the impact. The accident occurred near the western Romanian city of Timișoara.

“An unbelievable tragedy knocked on our door today. I am deeply shocked by the unjust loss of young people, fans of our beloved team, who traveled to stand by our PAOK,” said PAOK owner Iwan Savvidis on the club’s homepage.

Head of state expresses condolences

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his deep condolences to the relatives. “I was deeply shocked to learn of the tragic accident in Romania in which seven young compatriots lost their lives,” he wrote on Facebook. He stressed that the Greek Embassy is in close contact with the local authorities and will provide all possible support.

PAOK informs UEFA

Meanwhile, the board of PAOK informed the European Football Union UEFA about the accident. Greek media reported that it was unclear whether the game in Lyon could take place on Thursday. Hundreds of PAOK fans have canceled their trips to Lyon. Others who had already been on the way returned, it said. Lyon leads the Europa League table before the last league matchday, PAOK is in twelfth place.

Fans chose a long, safe route

According to information from the fan clubs where the victims came from, the fans deliberately took a long detour from Thessaloniki to France via Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria and Italy. The aim was to travel exclusively through EU countries and avoid border controls along the Balkan route, reporters from Thessaloniki reported.