A traditional summer festival on the island of Lesvos turned into a scene of horror over the weekend when a 35-year-old man was stabbed 18 times during a violent altercation in the early hours of Saturday morning. The victim, a local resident from the town of Kalloni, remains hospitalized in a local hospital’s ICU, but is now in stable condition and considered out of immediate danger.
The attack took place at a village festival in Agia Paraskevi, a community on the island known for its cultural and religious celebrations. The incident reportedly occurred shortly after 6:30 a.m., following what witnesses described as a heated argument that spiraled into a brutal assault.
According to reports, the assailant, also 35 years old and from the village of Argenos, used a knife to repeatedly stab the victim in the face, back, chest, and ribs. The victim was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent a lengthy emergency surgery.
Authorities arrested the alleged perpetrator soon after the incident. He remains in police custody and is expected to be charged with attempted homicide. He will appear before the prosecutor in Mytilene on Monday afternoon.
Shock Among Locals
Local residents, many of whom were attending the festival of Saint Charalambos, expressed disbelief and concern following the violence.
According to attendees, the festival had been proceeding normally until the sudden outburst of violence. One eyewitness One eyewitness, who had been recording the festivities just moments before, described the scene to Greek public broadcaster ERT and recounted the distressing scene of seeing the victim collapse nearby, his white shirt soaked in blood.
Locals emphasized that while minor disagreements are not unheard of during public events, they had never before witnessed an incident of this magnitude. The individuals involved were not known to the local community and were reportedly visitors to the festival.
The sentiment among residents is one of deep concern and sadness. Many have expressed hopes for the victim’s full recovery and stressed their desire that such incidents do not become a recurring feature at local gatherings, which are typically marked by celebration, not violence.
Community Response
The stabbing has rattled the local community, which is unaccustomed to such violent incidents. Festivals on Greek islands are typically joyful, family-oriented events that bring together residents and visitors alike to celebrate with music, dancing, and traditional food.
