Quick Read
- Seven PAOK football club fans died in a road accident near Timișoara, Romania.
- The victims were traveling in a tourist van to France.
- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed shock and offered condolences.
- The Greek government and embassy in Romania are coordinating support with local authorities.
- Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in continuous communication with Romanian officials.
ATHENS (Azat TV) – Seven fans of the prominent Greek football club PAOK have died following a tragic road accident in Romania, near the city of Timișoara, sparking a wave of national grief and prompting an immediate response from the Greek government. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his deep shock and sorrow on Wednesday, confirming the loss of young Greek lives and pledging full governmental support to the victims’ families and the wider PAOK community.
Tragic Accident Claims Lives En Route to France
The devastating incident occurred as the PAOK supporters were traveling in a tourist van through Romania, reportedly en route to France. Details surrounding the exact cause of the crash were not immediately clear, but the Greek Prime Minister’s statement underscored the severity of the loss, referring to it as a ‘deeply shocking’ event for the nation.
The victims were part of the passionate fanbase of Thessaloniki-based PAOK FC, one of Greece’s most successful and widely supported football clubs. The news has sent shockwaves through the Greek sporting community, highlighting the profound connection between fans and their teams, often involving extensive travel to support them.
Official Response and Support Efforts Underway
In the wake of the tragedy, Prime Minister Mitsotakis conveyed his ‘most sincere condolences to the victims’ families and the PAOK community’ via a social media post, also wishing a swift recovery for any injured individuals. His message emphasized that the Greek government and its embassy in Romania are actively collaborating with local authorities to provide all necessary support and assistance.
The Greek Embassy in Romania has confirmed its involvement, indicating that a delegation was dispatched to the accident scene at 17:00 local time. This immediate diplomatic and consular engagement aims to facilitate coordination with Romanian officials, offer practical aid to the injured, and provide crucial support to the bereaved families during this difficult time. Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also in continuous communication with Romanian authorities to streamline these efforts.
A Community Mourns
The loss of seven young lives has deeply affected the close-knit PAOK community and the broader Greek public. Such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with long-distance travel, especially for groups of fans dedicated to following their teams across borders. The collective mourning is expected to resonate throughout Greece as the process of repatriating the deceased and supporting the injured unfolds.
The coordinated response from the Greek government and diplomatic missions underscores the national impact of the tragedy, reflecting the deep cultural significance of football and its fan communities within Greece.