Rescuers revive Portuguese tourist in Zakynthos after 79 minutes of CPR

Rescue operation off Korithi

A 26-year-old Portuguese national was pulled unconscious from the sea off the coast of Korithi in northern Zakynthos on Friday, 21 August 2026. The incident occurred when the young man suffered a severe drowning accident while in the coastal waters. Swimmers present at the beach noticed that the man had lost consciousness in the water and immediately took steps to assist him. A skipper operating a private tourist vessel in the vicinity responded to the emergency, working together with the bathers to lift the unresponsive man out of the water and safely position him on board the boat.

Following the recovery, the private tourist boat navigated toward the nearby port of Agios Nikolaos Volimon to transfer the patient to incoming land-based medical teams. An officer from the local Agios Nikolaos Volimon Coast Guard Station was on site to assist with the maritime arrival and oversee the handover procedure. The geographical isolation of Korithi and the distance to island infrastructure made the swift mobilization of the boat operator and maritime authorities essential in initiating the emergency response chain before ground emergency crews could reach the coast.

Extended resuscitation at Agios Nikolaos Volimon

Emergency resuscitation efforts began the moment the tourist boat tied up at the quay of Agios Nikolaos Volimon. A private doctor who was at the port approached the vessel and immediately initiated manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The physician performed rhythmic chest compressions and rescue breathing directly on the dock, working to maintain blood flow and prevent irreversible neurological damage while awaiting the arrival of dedicated emergency personnel.

A specialized ambulance crew from the National Emergency Aid Centre (EKAV) of Zakynthos arrived at the harbor shortly afterward to assume management of the medical emergency. Paramedics took over chest compressions and implemented advanced cardiac life support protocols. The emergency team administered specialized CPR, using defibrillation and delivering essential intravenous medications to stimulate cardiac function. The sustained resuscitation effort continued uninterrupted at the port for approximately 79 minutes. The extended medical intervention ultimately succeeded, as responders restored the young man's vital signs and spontaneous cardiac rhythm on site.

Hospitalization and intensive care

Following the return of vital signs, EKAV paramedics placed the 26-year-old Portuguese national in an ambulance and transported him across the island to the General Hospital of Zakynthos. Upon arrival at the emergency department, medical staff immediately proceeded with endotracheal intubation to protect his airway and maintain mechanical ventilation, addressing the respiratory distress caused by prolonged submersion in seawater and extended cardiac arrest.

The patient was admitted directly to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the General Hospital of Zakynthos. Attending physicians reported that the young man remains intubated under continuous medical monitoring, with his clinical condition assessed as critical but stable. Medical staff in the intensive care unit continue to manage his recovery, tracking vital indicators and monitoring for potential complications associated with secondary drowning and prolonged oxygen deprivation.