A nation mourned on Thursday as the bodies of seven PAOK football fans, who tragically died in a traffic accident in Romania, returned to Greece. The funeral procession and tribute at Thessaloniki’s Toumba Stadium drew thousands of grieving supporters, marking a deeply emotional farewell.
At Macedonia Airport, members of the PAOK fan community gathered to receive the remains, accompanying them in a motorcade to the stadium, where hundreds of flares were lit, and chants of solidarity filled the air. Funeral services for the victims are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Earlier, a solemn ceremony was held in Timișoara, Romania, before a C-130 flight transported the bodies. The city’s metropolitan performed prayers, read the names of the deceased, and distributed white roses, expressing the collective sorrow of the local community.
Two Survivors Return to Greece
Two of the three survivors, 20-year-old Kostas and 28-year-old Marios, arrived in Thessaloniki earlier Thursday. Both sustained injuries, with Kostas suffering a minor pelvic fracture and Marios enduring head trauma, though neither condition is life-threatening. They were immediately transported to Papageorgiou Hospital for continued treatment. Hospital officials confirmed all specialties are on standby to provide comprehensive care.
The third survivor remains in Romania after undergoing surgery for a cervical fracture. His family reports that his life is not at risk, and he will return to Greece once doctors approve. All three had been seated on the less-damaged right side of the van involved in the crash, which likely contributed to their survival.
Nationwide Mourning and Tributes
The grief has resonated across Greece. Candles and flowers were placed at Toumba Stadium, including by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, symbolizing the collective hope that such tragedies never occur again. PAOK fan clubs, from Imathia to other regions, observed moments of silence and called out the names of the lost supporters. Similar tributes took place in the Greek Parliament, while international fan communities, including in Amsterdam, expressed solidarity through banners and messages.
