Article by Mihai Șovei – Published Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 11:08 / Updated Wednesday, January 28, 2026 11:09
PAOK, one of the most important in Greece, is in mourning. Seven fans of the team who were traveling to Lyon lost their lives as a result of a road accident. The tragedy occurred on the European road E70, near the town of Lugojel.
Unfortunately, this is not the first accident involving PAOK fans. On October 4, 1999, six supporters of the team lost their lives after the coach they were traveling in from Athens overturned in a valley. It is considered one of the darkest days in PAOK's history and is commemorated every year by fans, players and officials.
The tragedy of October 4, 1999
The date of October 4, 1999 remains a sad memory for Greek fans. A coach with supporters overturned in Valea Tempi after a match with Panathinaikos, and six supporters aged between 17 and 68 lost their lives.
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After PAOK's draw with Panathinaikos, the fan coaches began their return journey. According to the testimonies, shortly before the accident in Velestino, the owner's 19-year-old son took over the driving of the bus, replacing the regular driver. Two kilometers before the toll booth in Tempi, the bus tried to overtake, went in the opposite direction and collided with a truck moving towards Larissa. The vehicle overturned and ended up in a ditch, killing seven people and injuring 33 passengers, according to tanea.gr.
Every year around that day, PAOK fans and players go to the site of the tragedy to commemorate those who lost their lives.
The monument erected in memory of the fans who lost their lives in the tragic event of October 4, 1999
A new tragedy took place on January 27, right in Romania. A road train, a tanker, a minibus transporting people (8+1) and a car were involved in the accident. From the first data, until now, 7 people have been identified who died on the spot, according to the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) Timiș.
The club from Greece published an emotional letter in memory of the 7 fans who died on the roads in Romania.
“Time stops. It freezes. Words dry up. Pain pierces body and mind. Tears flow from eyes. Pain overwhelms you, knocks you down, crushes you. Another black day.
Another indescribable tragedy for the PAOK family.
Farewell to our children, whose love for those four letters took them far.
This love for PAOK carried them there, left them there and moved on, but their souls will forever remain under the wings of «Dikefalos».
My deepest condolences to the families of these children. In their unbearable pain, they will not be alone. The big PAOK family will always be by their side to ease their pain as much as possible.
Our thoughts are also with the injured, who are fighting their own battle.
We will do everything we can to ensure they receive the best medical care available, we will make sure they return home as quickly as possible, we will always be there for them.
One wish… Never again…”
