The tragic news reached Greece yesterday afternoon from Romania: seven PAOK fans lost their lives, and three others were injured in a shocking crash while traveling from Greece to Lyon, France, to support their team in a Europa League match.

A dashcam from a truck on the road captured the horrifying accident on the DN6-E70 highway in Timiș County, near the town of Lugojelu, at the entrance to Lugoj’s ring road.

The black van carrying ten PAOK fans had just overtaken the truck captured on dashcam. After initially moving to the right lane, the van suddenly veered back into oncoming traffic, colliding head-on with another truck. The crash was violent: the van was thrown off the road, and objects were hurled inside the vehicle.

The accident raises serious questions about why the van ended up in the opposite lane after initially returning to the correct side post-overtake.

Casualties
Six passengers died instantly, and the seventh succumbed en route to the hospital. Three others were hospitalized in Timișoara, Romania. The van carried ten passengers from Thessaloniki, Alexandria, and Katerini. Of the seven deceased, three were from Alexandria, two from Katerini, and two from Thessaloniki.

Fans Were Excited to Travel — Never Missed a Game
The news devastated the three cities. In Alexandria, Imathia, a cloud of grief enveloped the community. Mayor Panagiotis Gkyrinis expressed his shock over the sudden loss of local residents and PAOK fans. “I have no words. The entire city is in mourning. These were young people, devoted PAOK fans,” he said.

Local tavern owner Sakis Lagogiannis recalled that on Monday night (Jan. 26), two of the fans had visited his restaurant, excited about their trip. “They never missed a match, even abroad. They have supported PAOK since childhood,” he said.

Tributes at Toumba Stadium
Outside PAOK’s Toumba Stadium, flags flew at half-mast as fans and residents left flowers, candles, and team scarves. One woman placed a bouquet of white roses, saying, “I came immediately when I heard. I can’t believe this happened.”

Fans stood silently for hours by an improvised memorial, which grew with candles, scarves, and flowers. A jersey was hung with a message: “Rest in peace, brothers. 27.01.2026.”

PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu, players, and club officials visited the memorial, leaving flowers while fans chanted in memory of the victims.

Greek Authorities Coordinating Repatriation
At the hospital in Timișoara, the Greek Consul and embassy interpreter provided support to the injured, while the embassy coordinated with Romanian authorities for identification and repatriation of the deceased.

PAOK board member Marios Tsakas also traveled to Romania with legal counsel to assist both the injured and with procedural matters.

According to the hospital director, the three injured fans are in stable condition, though one is in the ICU with multiple fractures and lung injuries.