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Man critically injured after falling into unguarded hot water well in Greece
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece /Disasters & Emergencies

Man critically injured after falling into unguarded hot water well in Greece

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A 22-year-old man is in critical condition with severe burns after falling into an unattended geothermal well filled with hot water near Samothraki, Greece.
  • The incident occurred Sunday night when the young man, walking with friends in the dark, fell into the deep, unguarded well.
  • His family intends to pursue legal action against the municipality and responsible authorities, citing the well's lack of safety measures.

A 22-year-old man is hospitalized in critical condition with severe burns after falling into an unguarded geothermal well filled with scalding water near the thermal springs of Samothraki, Greece. The serious accident occurred Sunday evening as the young man was walking with friends in the area.

According to witness accounts, the well was deep, and the man submerged up to his neck in the hot water. His friends reacted immediately, pulling him out and tearing his clothes to minimize the extent of his burns. He was initially transported by the Hellenic Coast Guard to Alexandroupoli for first aid before being transferred to the Papanikolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki due to the severity of his condition.

Doctors confirmed the man suffered second-degree burns covering 49% of his body surface. While his condition remains serious, he is reportedly out of immediate danger. The family of the 22-year-old has expressed their determination to take legal action against the Municipality of Samothraki and any other relevant authorities, arguing that the well was left unattended and unsecured.

The incident highlights the dangers posed by unsecured infrastructure, particularly in areas frequented by the public. The family's decision to pursue legal action underscores their belief that negligence played a role in the young man's severe injuries and emphasizes the need for greater accountability in maintaining public safety.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.