“One of them is the same age as my daughter. They came and shouted for help. I was drinking coffee, heard ‘help,’ and got in my car. They said ‘two children are drowning’ and I came. I went in, pulled one out, and then they told me there was another. I dove in again but didn’t find him. Then I jumped from the boat into deep water, about five or six meters. I saw the child lying there, grabbed him, and barely managed to bring him to the surface so he could breathe,” said Goga Levian to Arttv.

“I did something good. Nothing else. I’m only thinking about the children. Even now, my own kids are crying—I have to go home. It’s a pity…” he said through tears on camera. “To God, the children are everything… I’m a foreigner, but I did something good. I don’t care about race. I hope the children live. We all made an effort together. God help us, may the Virgin Mary be with them and help them wake up and live their lives. Such a pity…”

Shock in the local community of Arta

“The river is always dangerous and requires caution”

The Deputy Mayor of Civil Protection, Giorgos Varilis, stated: “There were four young people swimming in the river. Two of them got into trouble. Citizens rescued them before the fire department arrived, and they were taken to the hospital in poor condition. The river is always dangerous and must be treated with caution.”

The location where the children were swimming

The children were swimming near the pillars of a bridge. This is the location where four minors went swimming in the Arachthos River.

20 minutes underwater

The two boys were transferred to the University General Hospital of Patras in an ambulance accompanied by police.

According to reports, CT scans revealed extensive brain swelling and water in the lungs. One of the boys also sustained a neck fracture.

It is believed they were underwater for at least 20 minutes, and CPR was administered for at least 30 minutes. The prolonged lack of oxygen is a significant concern for their health. Doctors will closely monitor their condition over the next 48 hours, which will be critical for their prognosis.

Timeline

It all happened early in the afternoon when four minors went to swim in the Arachthos River. The 14-year-old drifted away, unable to swim well, and was swept by the current. The 15-year-old tried to save him but got trapped himself. The other two friends immediately sought help from nearby citizens, police, and firefighters. The two boys were eventually rescued by civilians using a boat.

Ambulances rushed to the scene, and rescuers immediately began CPR. The two boys were unconscious when they were taken to the Arta hospital. Reportedly, after efforts by doctors, the children regained consciousness.