A devastating road accident in western Romania has claimed the lives of seven Greek football fans who were traveling to France to support their team in a crucial Europa League match. The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, casting a shadow over the upcoming European football fixture.
Fatal Collision on E70 Highway
The supporters, all ardent followers of the Greek club PAOK Thessaloniki, were journeying by road to Lyon, France, to watch their team face Olympique Lyonnais in Thursday's Europa League encounter. Their trip ended in catastrophe on the E70 highway between the towns of Caransebes and Lugoj in western Romania.
Details of the Accident
According to reports and dashcam footage, the tragedy unfolded around 1:05 p.m. local time. The black minivan carrying the ten PAOK supporters attempted an overtaking maneuver, veering into the opposite lane. At that moment, a large oncoming lorry appeared, leaving the van with no escape route as other vehicles occupied the adjacent lane.
The driver of the minivan swerved in a desperate attempt to avoid a collision but ended up directly in the path of the multi-wheeled truck. The resulting head-on crash was catastrophic, sending the smaller vehicle spinning across the road and scattering debris across both lanes of the highway.
Emergency Response and Casualties
Romania's emergency services were immediately alerted. A first aid vehicle, an extrication vehicle, a fire engine, and personnel transport vehicles were dispatched to the scene. However, rescue efforts were hampered by adverse weather conditions that prevented air ambulances from reaching the crash site.
Officials later confirmed that seven men, all aged between 28 and 30, had died at the scene. Three other Greek fans sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby hospitals, where they remain in critical condition.
Reactions and Tributes
The news sent shockwaves through the Greek football community and beyond. Stelios Angeloudis, the Mayor of Thessaloniki, PAOK's home city, expressed his profound sorrow. "Our thoughts are with the PAOK fans who lost their lives in Romania, on the way to their beloved team's away game," he stated. "My sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic accident, and a speedy recovery to the injured."
Investigation Underway
Authorities in Romania have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision. The dashcam footage from the vehicle that was being overtaken is expected to be a crucial piece of evidence as investigators work to determine the exact sequence of events and contributing factors.
This tragic accident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of road travel, especially on long journeys to sporting events. The European football community now mourns the loss of these passionate supporters who were simply traveling to cheer on their team.
