Thessaloniki Readies to Welcome Romania Crash Survivors and Victims Home
A medical aircraft landed at Thessaloniki on Thursday, bringing two survivors of a tragic minibus accident in Romania. The crash, which occurred on Tuesday, took the lives of seven young PAOK soccer fans and left one survivor in serious condition. The survivors, aged 20 and 28, were transferred from Timisoara and are now receiving extensive medical examinations at Thessaloniki’s Papageorgiou Hospital.
Details of the Crash
The horrible collision happened near Lugoj, western Romania, when a van transporting 10 fans to a Europa League match against Lyon in France collided head-on with a truck. All the victims were men in their 20s and hailed from the regions of Imathia, Pieria, and western Thessaloniki.
Homecoming for Victims
The repatriation of the deceased is expected later on Thursday via military transport. PAOK supporters are gathering at Thessaloniki Airport to escort the caskets in a somber procession to Toumba Stadium.
- The deceased are being honored with scarves, candles, and flowers.
- Gate 4 at the stadium has become a makeshift shrine, displaying a banner that reads, “Farewell, Brothers.”
Community Support and Tributes
The atmosphere at Toumba Stadium was filled with grief as supporters from across Greece came together. On Wednesday night, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the stadium to offer condolences. He expressed the Mother Church’s support to the families and the PAOK community.
Investigators are looking into a claim that a malfunction in the vehicle’s lane assist system may have caused the steering wheel to lock during an overtaking maneuver. However, the official cause of the accident has yet to be determined.
This tragedy has sparked widespread solidarity throughout Greek sports. Rival clubs and Lyon are planning tributes to honor the victims and their families during this difficult time.
