An 18-year-old woman drowned on Friday, the day of her 18th birthday, after she vanished underwater at Dermatas waterfall near the village of Rizomata in northern Greece.
The victim had traveled from her hometown of Veria to the scenic waterfall with a male friend to relax and take photographs before going into the water.
Her companion called emergency services after she failed to resurface, prompting a search operation by local authorities and specialized rescue units.
Divers from the Hellenic Fire Service located the teenager unconscious in the water after searching for several hours, but doctors at a nearby hospital later pronounced her dead.
Emergency response and search operation
The victim's friend immediately contacted emergency services by dialing 112 when he realized she was missing beneath the surface of the pool.
Response teams mobilized strong Fire Service forces alongside specialist divers from the 2nd Special Disaster Response Unit, known as EMAK. The elite unit, based in Thessaloniki, handles complex search and underwater rescue missions across northern Greece.
Rescue divers searched the area for several hours before locating the unconscious woman and pulling her from the water. She was transferred by ambulance to a local hospital, where medical staff confirmed her death.
Police investigation and medical examination
Greek police have opened an investigation into the circumstances of the incident, and a forensic autopsy will take place to establish the precise cause of death.
Investigators are examining whether the teenager suffered a sudden medical issue while in the water or sustained an injury that knocked her unconscious, according to Greek public broadcaster ERTNews.
Broadcaster reports noted that officials have not yet confirmed what caused her to remain underwater.
Local community in mourning
The tragic death has shocked residents in both Rizomata and the regional center of Veria, a historic city in the Imathia region of Macedonia where the victim lived.
Local residents said the young woman and her family were familiar with the waterfall, having visited the site every year during her annual summer vacations.
