Seven PAOK fans have tragically died in a minibus crash while on their way to France for the club’s Europa League match against Olympique Lyonnais.
A group of 10 supporters were in the vehicle when it collided head-on with a lorry in Romania at around 1pm on Tuesday, with three of them left seriously injured.
Images from the scene show the aftermath of the smash, with red-cabbed HGV and the minibus wrecked by the impact.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was ‘deeply shaken’ and extended his ‘sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and to the PAOK community’.
The club, who are third in the Greek Super League and 12th in the Europa League’s league phase, sent representatives out to Romania to provide support to their injured fans.
‘An unspeakable tragedy knocked on our door today,’ PAOK president Ivan Savvidis said.
Seven PAOK fans have tragically died after their minibus crashed with a lorry in Romania
Candles, scarves and flags have been placed outside PAOK’s Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki
‘I am devastated by the unjust loss of young people, fans of our beloved team, who traveled to stand by our PAOK. I mourn with the families and millions of our compatriots. May God rest their souls.
‘These children, the children of PAOK, are our children, they are members of a big family. And we do everything for our family and we don’t leave anyone alone.
‘My thoughts are with their loved ones. I pray that everything goes well for those who were injured and are fighting a critical battle in these hours.’
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki to lay candles and hang scarves and flags.
Coaches, players and club officials were also seen laying bouquets of flowers.
PAOK, who have blacked out all of their social media pages during this period of mourning, also posted another emotionally charged statement.
‘Time stops. It freezes. Words run dry. Pain pierces through body and mind. Tears stream from the eyes. Grief overwhelms you, brings you to your knees, shatters you,’ it reads.
‘Another black day. Another unspeakable tragedy for the PAOK family. Farewell to our children, whose love for those four letters took them far away. That love for PAOK carried them there, left them there and moved on further, but their souls will forever rest under the wings of the Double-Headed Eagle.
The fans were travelling to Olympique Lyon’s Groupama Stadium in central southeast France
‘Our deepest condolences to the families of these children. In their unbearable pain, they will not be alone. The great PAOK family will always stand beside them to ease this pain as much as possible.
‘Our thoughts are also with the injured, who are fighting their own battle. We will do everything possible so they receive the best medical care available, we will make sure they return home as quickly as possible, we will always be by their side.
‘One wish only… Never again…’
According to the Greek City Times, UEFA have decided against postponing Thursday’s match despite the requests of PAOK.
The governing body did, however, issue a statement on X which said it would stand with the ‘PAOK family in times of grief’.
‘Sincere condolences to everyone affected by this tragic accident,’ UEFA added.
Lyon confirmed that they will honour the supporters who lost their lives with a pre-match tribute at the Groupama Stadium.
