The children at the summer camp in Chalkidiki are in a state of shock after the drowning of an 8-year-old girl in a pool, while investigations continue into the circumstances of this tragic event.
According to reports, during the afternoon roll call, the group leader noticed that the little girl was missing, and the staff began searching for her throughout the camp. She was ultimately found unresponsive in the pool.
After the pool, the children went to the restaurant for lunch and returned to their cabins for roll call before their afternoon nap.
The police have arrested the 19-year-old group leader who was responsible for the child, and further arrests may be forthcoming. The lifeguard, as well as the camp director, are also under scrutiny for their responsibilities.
The 19-year-old was arrested on charges of endangering a minor and is expected to be brought before a prosecutor today.
The timeline of the tragedy
According to information from thesstoday.gr, after the pool, the children went to the restaurant for lunch and returned to their cabins for roll call before their afternoon nap.
During the process, the absence of the girl was noticed by the relevant group leader, prompting an alarm to be raised throughout the camp.
A search operation was initiated to locate the child, but unfortunately, she was found dead in the pool shortly thereafter.
As soon as the 8-year-old girl was found unresponsive in the pool, an ambulance from the EKAB rushed to the scene, and the child was initially transported to the local Health Center and then to AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki, where her death was confirmed.
The camp’s announcement
In a statement, the camp’s management indicated when and how the absence of the 8-year-old girl was noticed from the dormitory.
“Today, Tuesday, August 13, after lunch was completed and the campers were in their rooms for their afternoon rest, it was discovered that one camper was missing. The camp headquarters was immediately notified, and a team of staff began searching for her throughout the camp.
The camper was found in the pool unresponsive. First aid was administered using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a defibrillator by the camp’s medical staff and the EKAB, who were called to the scene immediately.
An ambulance transported the camper to the Kassandras Health Center and then to AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki, where her death was confirmed. We would like to express our deep sorrow for the loss of our camper and will assist the authorities in every way possible in investigating the circumstances of the accident.”