Seven Greek citizens were killed Tuesday in a tragic road accident in Romania when a minibus traveling from Greece to France was involved in a violent collision with multiple heavy vehicles, Romanian authorities said. According to reports cited by Greek media, the passengers were supporters of PAOK traveling by road to France ahead of the club’s Europa League match against Lyon. Initial information indicates that those killed were young people from the regions of Katerini, Imathia and western Thessaloniki. Authorities have not yet released official identities.
The minibus, carrying 10 people, was traveling through western Romania when it attempted to overtake another vehicle. As it tried to return to its lane, it struck a tanker truck and was then thrown into oncoming traffic, where it collided with a lorry. The driver of the minibus and six passengers were killed on impact.
Three other passengers were injured and transported to a nearby hospital. One of them is in critical condition and remains intubated and on mechanical ventilation, according to emergency officials. Two others suffered traumatic injuries but were conscious. A fourth passenger with minor injuries later sought medical care.
Romanian emergency services responded to the scene, but air rescue helicopters were unable to operate due to poor weather conditions, said Raed Arafat, head of Romania’s Emergency Department. “The result is unfortunately tragic,” Arafat said in remarks broadcast by Digi24.
💥Timişoara’da 4 aracın karıştığı zincirleme trafik kazası: 6 ölü, 3 yaralı!
📍Lugojel kasabası yakınlarındaki (E70) karayolunda meydana gelen ve 1 yolcu minibüsü, TIR ve iki otomobilin karıştığı feci kazada ilk belirlemelere göre 6 kişi hayatını kaybetti.
🚨Timiş Polis… pic.twitter.com/6LZK7A3Ala
— Romanya Haber (@romanya_haber) January 27, 2026
The incident drew strong reactions in Greece, where officials and public figures expressed condolences for the victims and their families. Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angeloudis referred in a social media post to past tragedies involving football supporters, saying the city was reminded of events that occurred on Oct. 4, 1999. He offered condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has been in continuous contact and cooperation with Romanian authorities since the accident became known. Staff from the Greek Embassy in Bucharest are traveling immediately to the site to assist with all required procedures and to closely monitor the condition of the injured.
Romanian authorities have noted that the vehicle was carrying more passengers than its intended capacity.
Traffic in the area was temporarily halted as investigators examined the scene and emergency crews completed rescue operations. An investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing.
