PAOK Fans Tragedy in Romania: 28-Year-Old Released, Neurological Tests Begin for Critically Injured Fan

All of Greece is watching the health condition of three PAOK fans injured in the fatal van-truck collision on Romania’s ‘Road of Death’. The three remain hospitalized, with medical teams on high alert. The most critical case is the polytraumatized fan, still at Timișoara Hospital. Hours before his scheduled air evacuation to Greece, he developed neck swelling and underwent emergency surgery. He remains hemodynamically stable; doctors will gradually reduce sedation today to begin neurological assessments. A 20-year-old patient, airlifted via Greece’s Health Ministry’s specially equipped aircraft to Thessaloniki’s Papageorgiou Hospital, suffers a brain contusion with intracranial hematoma but does not require ICU admission—receiving close monitoring in the Neurosurgery Department. According to Dr. Kostas Fountounis of the hospital’s First Surgical Clinic, the young man is in good physical condition and needs no surgery. The third injured fan, aged 28, also hospitalized at Papageorgiou, is recovering well and expected to be discharged soon. Relatives, friends, and PAOK supporters welcomed the two patients holding white flowers and PAOK scarves. Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis confirmed that once the critically injured fan’s condition permits, another Greek aircraft will be deployed for his repatriation. Funerals for the seven deceased PAOK fans begin today, Friday, January 30: two services at noon—at the Church of Joachim and Anna in Evkarpi, Thessaloniki, and at Prophet Elias Church in Arona, Pieria. Tomorrow, Saturday, three funerals will take place in Alexandreia, Imathia, at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church starting at 1 p.m., with coffins present from 11 a.m. Another funeral occurs today at noon at St. Irene Chrysovalantou Church in Evkarpi, and one more at 1 p.m. in Stefanina, Volvi municipality.