Seven PAOK followers have tragically died in a minibus crash whereas on their approach to France for the membership’s Europa League match in opposition to Olympique Lyonnais.
A gaggle of 10 supporters have been within the car when it collided head-on with a lorry in Romania at round 1pm on Tuesday, with three of them left severely injured.
Pictures from the scene present the aftermath of the smash, with red-cabbed HGV and the minibus wrecked by the affect.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated he was ‘deeply shaken’ and prolonged his ‘sincerest condolences to the households of the victims and to the PAOK neighborhood’.
The membership, who’re third within the Greek Tremendous League and twelfth within the Europa League’s league part, despatched representatives out to Romania to offer help to their injured followers.
‘An unspeakable tragedy knocked on our door as we speak,’ PAOK president Ivan Savvidis stated.
Seven PAOK followers have tragically died after their minibus crashed with a lorry in Romania
Candles, scarves and flags have been positioned exterior PAOK’s Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki
‘I’m devastated by the unjust lack of younger individuals, followers of our beloved group, who traveled to face by our PAOK. I mourn with the households and tens of millions of our compatriots. Might God relaxation their souls.
‘These youngsters, the kids of PAOK, are our youngsters, they’re members of an enormous household. And we do every part for our household and we do not depart anybody alone.
‘My ideas are with their family members. I pray that every part goes properly for individuals who have been injured and are combating a important battle in these hours.’
Lots of of supporters gathered exterior the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki to put candles and cling scarves and flags.
Coaches, gamers and membership officers have been additionally seen laying bouquets of flowers.
PAOK, who’ve blacked out all of their social media pages throughout this era of mourning, additionally posted one other emotionally charged assertion.
‘Time stops. It freezes. Phrases run dry. Ache pierces via physique and thoughts. Tears stream from the eyes. Grief overwhelms you, brings you to your knees, shatters you,’ it reads.
‘One other black day. One other unspeakable tragedy for the PAOK household. Farewell to our youngsters, whose love for these 4 letters took them far-off. That love for PAOK carried them there, left them there and moved on additional, however their souls will endlessly relaxation beneath the wings of the Double-Headed Eagle.
The followers have been travelling to Olympique Lyon’s Groupama Stadium in central southeast France
‘Our deepest condolences to the households of those youngsters. Of their insufferable ache, they won’t be alone. The nice PAOK household will all the time stand beside them to ease this ache as a lot as attainable.
‘Our ideas are additionally with the injured, who’re combating their very own battle. We’ll do every part attainable in order that they obtain one of the best medical care obtainable, we’ll make sure that they return dwelling as shortly as attainable, we’ll all the time be by their facet.
‘One want solely… By no means once more…’
Based on the Greek Metropolis Occasions, UEFA have determined in opposition to suspending Thursday’s match regardless of the requests of PAOK.
The governing physique did, nevertheless, situation an announcement on X which stated it could stand with the ‘PAOK household in occasions of grief’.
‘Honest condolences to everybody affected by this tragic accident,’ UEFA added.
Lyon confirmed that they are going to honour the supporters who misplaced their lives with a pre-match tribute on the Groupama Stadium.
