Child in critical condition after near-drowning incident in Ilias

A young boy remains in critical condition and intubated in the pediatric intensive care unit of the University Hospital of Patras following a near-drowning incident at Marathia beach in Ilias. The event occurred on the afternoon of Friday, August 28, 2026, when the child experienced severe respiratory distress after diving into the sea and swallowing a large amount of water. Sources provide conflicting information regarding the child's age, with reports citing him as either eight or nine years old.

Initial emergency response was provided by EKAB, which transported the child to the Amaliada Hospital. There, doctors stabilized the boy, who was described as cyanotic and unresponsive upon arrival, before transferring him to the University Hospital of Patras due to the severity of his condition. Intensive care specialist Andreas Iliadis stated that the child is currently in deep sedation. Medical efforts are focused on clearing fluid from the lungs and monitoring the brain for potential edema. The next 48 hours are considered critical for his recovery. Meanwhile, port authorities in Ilias have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.