The trial over the death of 14-year-old Kyriaki Zania, who died from complications linked to Covid-19 in December 2021, has been postponed for a third time by a court in Lamia, central Greece.
The Three-Member Misdemeanor Court of Lamia decided that the case will be heard on November 19, 2026, following a request from the side of the second defendant, who cited a medical issue as the reason for seeking a delay.
Two doctors from Lamia General Hospital are facing charges of manslaughter through negligence by omission in connection with the teenager’s death.
The events leading to the teenager’s death
Kyriaki was taken by ambulance to Lamia General Hospital on the morning of December 4, 2021, after testing positive for Covid-19. She was accompanied by her mother and younger sister, who had also contracted the virus.
According to the case file, the 14-year-old was examined within the first hour of her arrival. Medical checks were requested, including laboratory tests, an intravenous line, fluids and an electrocardiogram.
The electrocardiogram showed signs of a problem, according to findings from an internal investigation carried out by a pediatric professor at the University Hospital of Larissa. However, the teenager remained in a hospital container for several hours, until her condition worsened.
The prosecution alleges that she was left without the necessary medical intervention during that period, while the first doctor had also informed the second doctor involved in the case.
Emergency efforts came too late
A relative of the teenager has described the moment when the family urgently asked medical staff to examine Kyriaki again after noticing a serious deterioration in her condition.
She was eventually transferred to the emergency department, where doctors carried out further tests and called intensive care and anesthesia specialists. By then, however, her condition had become critical, with reports of very low blood pressure, chest pain and numbness in her lower jaw.
Doctors attempted to stabilize her, intubate her and prepare her transfer to the Children’s Hospital “Agia Sofia” in Athens. Although they initially managed to revive her after cardiac arrest, she suffered another cardiac arrest and died at 5:25 p.m.
During the final hours, Kyriaki’s mother and aunt waited outside the emergency department, unaware of the full extent of the medical emergency unfolding inside. The family had been expecting her transfer to Athens after an ambulance crew arrived to take her to the children’s hospital.
