A 17 year old student remains in extremely critical condition at KAT hospital after she and her best friend fell from the rooftop of an apartment building in Ilioupoli on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 12. The two girls went up to the roof together, locked the door behind them, held hands, and jumped.
When emergency responders arrived at the scene, one girl was unconscious while the other was still conscious and aware of her surroundings. Both were rushed to Asklepieion Voulas hospital, where medical staff made extensive resuscitation efforts. Despite the immediate response, one of the girls died approximately one hour after admission. The other was revived, intubated, and subsequently transferred to KAT hospital, where she remains in an ICU under the care of a team of around twenty doctors.
According to hospital sources, the surviving girl has sustained multiple severe injuries, including trauma to the pelvis and chest. Imaging has also revealed brain swelling, making her condition particularly critical. She has already undergone surgery and, if she survives the immediate danger to her life, doctors expect she will need to undergo a series of further operations to address her injuries.
A Note, a Diary, and an Investigation
The girl who died left a handwritten note to her parents before the fall, telling them she loved them, that she had been battling depression for the past three years, and that she was deeply anxious about her performance in the national university entrance exams. Authorities have also recovered a diary belonging to the hospitalized girl, which reportedly shares common themes with her friend’s note. Both documents are being closely examined by police.
The two girls are reported to have been planning this for some time. Investigators are now analyzing digital data from both girls’ cell phones, looking for messages or conversations that may shed further light on what led to this tragedy. Toxicology tests are also pending to determine whether either girl had consumed alcohol or other substances. Police are expected to take statements from the families, friends, teachers, and classmates of both girls.
Grief at School, Support from the State
An atmosphere of deep grief has settled over the school the two girls attended in Ilioupoli. On Wednesday morning, classmates arrived in tears, wearing dark clothing and carrying white flowers in memory of their friend who did not survive.
The Ministry of Education activated its psychosocial support protocol immediately, deploying specialist teams of psychologists and social workers to provide guidance and support to students, parents, and teachers affected by the tragedy.
The child welfare organization “The Smile of the Child” issued a public appeal for responsible media and online handling of the case, warning that the circulation of sensitive details can have serious consequences for children in a vulnerable psychological state. Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis also called urgently for a video of the incident that has been circulating online to be removed immediately and for its further spread to stop.
The national SOS helpline 1056 operates free of charge, anonymously, 24 hours a day for children and teenagers who need support.
