Marathia Beach near-drowning incident leaves child in critical condition

A child is in critical condition and remains intubated at the University Hospital of Patras in Rio after a near-drowning incident at Marathia Beach in Ilia. The incident occurred on a Friday afternoon when the child, reported to be between 8 and 9 years old, reportedly swallowed a large amount of seawater while diving, leading to a loss of consciousness.

Emergency services (EKAV) transported the child to Amaliada Hospital, where medical staff performed intensive resuscitation efforts. Dr. Vangelis Dimitropoulos, who treated the child, described the dramatic scene, noting the child arrived without a pulse and with a blue complexion. Following successful resuscitation and the removal of seawater from the stomach, the child was stabilized and transferred through Pyrgos Hospital to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Patras.

The Coast Guard is investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.