Seven Greek soccer fans were killed and three others seriously injured when a minibus carrying supporters to a European match crashed head-on with a truck in western Romania, authorities confirmed.
The group of 10 fans was traveling from northern Greece to France to watch PAOK face Olympique Lyonnais in a Europa League match when the crash happened around 1 p.m. Tuesday on Romania’s E70 highway, between the towns of Caransebeș and Lugojel.
Romanian officials said the minibus collided with a lorry, killing seven people at the scene. Three others were rushed to hospitals with critical injuries. The victims have not yet been publicly identified.
PAOK president Ivan Savvidis called the loss “an unspeakable tragedy” and said club representatives were immediately sent to Romania to support the injured and assist authorities.
“I am devastated by the unjust loss of young people, fans of our beloved team,” Savvidis said in an emotional statement. “These children are our children. They are members of a big family, and we never leave family alone.”
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was “deeply shaken” by the news, offering condolences to the families of the victims and the wider PAOK community. He also expressed hope for the recovery of those still fighting for their lives.
Greek officials traveled from Bucharest to the crash site as Romanian authorities launched an investigation into what caused the collision.
Back in Greece, grief swept through Thessaloniki as hundreds of fans gathered at PAOK’s Toumba Stadium to light candles, lay scarves, and honor the supporters who never made it to the match. Players, coaches, and club officials were also seen paying their respects, with flags flying at half-staff.
PAOK posted a heartbreaking tribute on social media, writing that “time stops” in moments like these and bidding farewell to “our children,” whose love for the club took them across borders but will forever remain part of the PAOK family.
UEFA issued a statement saying it was standing with PAOK “in times of grief” and offered condolences to everyone affected. A tribute is expected to be held at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium ahead of the scheduled match, which officials say is still set to go on.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the European soccer world, uniting fans across countries in mourning a journey that ended far too soon.
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