A minibus carrying supporters of PAOK Saloniki was involved in a serious traffic accident in Romania. The fans were on their way to Lyon, where the Europa League match against Olympique Lyon is scheduled for Thursday. According to media reports, seven people were killed and three others were seriously injured.
Op images circulating online (note: can be experienced as shocking) you can see how the van does not return to the right lane after an overtaking maneuver and collides head-on with a truck. The victims are said to be five Greeks and two Romanians. The journey to France covered more than 2000 kilometers and more than eighteen hours of travel time. The club has now confirmed that these are PAOK supporters.
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PAOK released an emotional statement. “Their love for PAOK took them there, left them there and moved on, but their souls will always rest under the wings of the Two-Headed Eagle,” the club said.
Later a more extensive response followed: “Time stands still. Words fail us. Pain shoots through body and mind. Tears flow from the eyes. Sadness overwhelms you, brings you to your knees, crushes you. Another hard day. Another unspeakable tragedy for the PAOK family. Goodbye to our children, whose love for those four letters has led them far away.”
The club also expresses support for the relatives and the injured. “Our deepest condolences to the families of these children. They will not be alone in their unbearable pain. The large PAOK family will always be by their side to ease this pain as much as possible. Our thoughts are also with the injured, who are fighting their own battle.”
Olympique Lyon has also expressed condolences via social media and announced that the victims will be remembered before the match.
