Seven supporters of Greek football club PAOK Salonique were killed and three others injured when their minibus collided with a truck in Romania on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. The fans were traveling from Greece to France for their team's Europa League match against Olympique Lyon scheduled for Thursday at Groupama Stadium.
The fatal collision occurred on the DN6-E70 highway near the town of Lugoj in Timiș County, western Romania, at approximately 1 pm local time. Romanian police reported that the minibus carrying ten passengers attempted an overtaking maneuver on a straight stretch of road. During the attempt to return to its lane, the vehicle first collided with a tanker truck before being thrown into oncoming traffic where it was struck head-on by a heavy goods vehicle.
Emergency services confirmed that six passengers died instantly at the scene while a seventh succumbed to injuries while being transported to hospital. The three survivors were taken to a hospital in Timișoara where they are being treated for serious injuries, though medical officials have stated they are now in stable condition. The victims, aged between 28 and 30 years old, were from Katerini, Alexandria in Imathia, and the western suburbs of Thessaloniki.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his grief, stating that he was deeply shaken by the tragic accident that cost the lives of seven young compatriots. PAOK president Ivan Savvidis described the incident as an unspeakable tragedy, adding that he was devastated by the unjust loss of young people who were traveling to support their beloved team. Flags were lowered to half-mast at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki.
In a related tragedy, a 55-year-old man from Larissa who was well known within the PAOK supporter community collapsed and died from cardiac arrest after learning about the crash. He had pre-existing heart conditions and was outside a restaurant he owned when he received the devastating news.
Olympique Lyon expressed sincere condolences to PAOK and announced that a memorial tribute would be held during Thursday's match at Groupama Stadium. The away section reserved for visiting supporters will remain closed as a mark of respect, and PAOK fans already in France or planning to travel were asked to honor the decision. Supporter associations from rival Greek clubs including Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, and Aris issued messages of solidarity and condolences.
Romanian authorities are working with Greek officials to repatriate the bodies of the victims, with a Greek military C-130 aircraft expected to transport them from Romania. The three injured survivors will be transferred to Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki aboard a specially equipped medical evacuation aircraft operated by the Greek Ministry of Health.
Comments