Greek doctor Dimitris Koukoulas gave a testimony on ERT television about the causes of the fatal accident in Romania that took the lives of seven Greek football fans, based on information provided by one of the injured.
As Dr Koukoulas mentioned, the injured PAOK fan told him that the lane assist system locked the steering wheel, preventing the driver from returning to the right lane after overtaking.
According to the doctor, this particular fan is in better condition than the other injured, with fractures mainly in the lower extremities, and he described the dramatic moments before the accident.
The testimony adds to what the authorities are examining in order to shed light on the causes of the accident.
The bodies of the seven PAOK fans in Romania have been identified, with a C-130 on standby to transport the injured.
The authorities have completed the process of identifying all the victims of the fatal traffic accident that occurred in Romania, where seven PAOK fans lost their lives, while three more people were injured. At the same time, questions remain unanswered regarding the causes and circumstances surrounding the tragedy that has shocked the public.
According to available information, the necessary documents are expected to be issued by the Romanian authorities on Thursday (29 January) local time in order to arrange for the repatriation of the bodies. They will be transported to Greece by a C-130 military aircraft, which is located in Elefsina. The transport aircraft is also on standby to pick up the injured victims of the accident.
As for the injured, two are in a fit enough condition that allows them to travel to our country. The third, who has more serious injuries but is not in a life-threatening condition and will require surgery, will be evaluated to see if they will complete the necessary treatment in Romania or Greece. In any case, all of them are now out of immediate danger.
The above was confirmed in an interview with SKAI by Yiannis Loverdos, noting at the same time that the oldest victim of the tragedy was 30-years-old.
Greek Ambassador to Romania: Priority is to repatriate the bodies and care for the injured
The Greek embassy in Bucharest is in full mobilisation after the fatal accident, as stated by Greek Ambassador Lili Grammatika, who is in Timisoara and visited the injured who are being treated there.
She noted that the priority is to complete the procedures for the immediate repatriation of the bodies, as well as the care and safe transport of the injured, while emphasising the excellent cooperation with the Romanian authorities at all levels.
“We have, unfortunately, seven who were killed instantly in this accident and three injured – two more seriously, but in stable condition and with an optimistic prognosis. And one, who is much better, remains under observation as well,” the Greek ambassador said.
As she stressed, the embassy was mobilised from the very first moment: “Since yesterday, an embassy team arrived, early in the afternoon, on site, and I arrived in the evening. I must emphasise and underline the assistance and excellent cooperation offered by the Romanian authorities from the very beginning at the ministerial level, at the highest level, and on site.”
Regarding the investigation into the causes, the ambassador stressed it is ongoing by the relevant authorities: “The accident is under investigation – its causes,” she noted and added: “At this moment, on the Greek side, we first have seven bodies, let’s hurry to complete the necessary procedures for their repatriation as soon as possible. Some families who were able to do so have rushed to arrive.”
At the same time, she referred to the condition of the injured and the plan for their repatriation, which, as she emphasised, will be done under the “best possible conditions” for the injured, who “fortunately are stable” and even the most seriously injured, whom she visited, is optimistic, despite the severity of his injuries.
Grammatika also mentioned that the role of the embassy is “to assist relatives and authorities in repatriating the bodies as soon as possible,” while highlighting the support of the Greek State and the close cooperation with the Romanian Authorities: “The Greek State supports us – I am in communication with the Ministry and all the Greek Authorities, and I reiterate my gratitude for the assistance, the continuous one, at all levels of the Romanian authorities.”
Responding to a question about the timetable for the repatriation of the bodies, she noted: “As soon as possible. We are trying for the shortest possible time, even tomorrow. Actions are also being taken in Athens for this, in coordination with the Romanian authorities, who are also assisting us a lot for the shortest possible time.”
Regarding the transfer of the severely injured person, she stated: “They will tell us when he is safe. No one will be transferred without absolute safety and it will be a medical transfer.”
In closing, after expressing the condolences of the entire embassy to the families of the victims, she referred to the international support and the human burden of the tragedy:
“We have been moved by the condolences from the highest level, from the Prime Minister of Romania and ministers who have communicated with Greek ministers and everyone in Greece has communicated. Aas a mother, as a Greek woman, we have all been shocked by this tragic accident. Everyone stands by the victims and their relatives and we hope that such a tragedy that occurred, an accident, will undoubtedly be investigated further, but that it will never happen again.”