A road accident killed seven PAOK fans heading to Lyon for a Europa League match

January 28 – Seven supporters of Greek club PAOK lose their lives in a devastating traffic accident on a Romanian motorway near Timișoara. The vehicle carrying 10 passengers had departed from Greece and was heading to France, where supporters planned to attend Thursday’s Europa League match between PAOK and Lyon.

The accident occurred near Lugoj village. This particular road was labeled by the Romanian media as the ‘Road of Death’ due to its history of frequent occurrences and high fatalities.

According to the Greek Embassy in Bucharest, the incident was a head-on collision. An eyewitness described the horrific incident on Romanian television.
“The overtaking maneuver was very dangerous. He realized there was a truck coming from the opposite direction and tried to return to his lane, but he collided with it and swerved into it. I only saw one person get out of the car while standing. Other victims were scattered on the road and in the field… the condition was very worrying,” said the witness.

The Greek Embassy in Romania has confirmed seven fatalities, all of them PAOK fans. A diplomatic team from the embassy has been sent to the crash site, located about seven hours by car from the Romanian capital, to assist local authorities and deal with the situation.
Savvidis, President of PAOK issued the following statement: “An unspeakable tragedy befell us today. I am devastated by the incredibly unfair loss of young people – supporters of our beloved team – who traveled to defend PAOK.

“May God rest their souls. These children, PAOK children, are our children. They are members of an extended family. And we do everything for our family – we leave no one alone.

“My thoughts are with their loved ones. I pray that everything goes well for those who are injured and who are fighting critical battles in these times.”

Contact the author of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at strength.l1769588117Labto1769588117ofdlr1769588117become1769588117sn@o1769588117old1769588117