Firefighter hospitalized after serious injury

A 35-year-old firefighter is currently hospitalized in the orthopedic clinic of the General University Hospital of Patra, in Rio, Western Greece, after sustaining a severe injury to his left leg while fighting a wildfire in Ilia on Friday.

The injured firefighter, a member of the Special Forest Fire Operational Units (EMODE), also known as the “forest commandos,” was initially airlifted to the General Hospital of Pyrgos before being transferred to Rio. There, he underwent a CT scan, followed by an emergency surgery that was reported to be successful. According to his doctors, the firefighter will need an additional surgical procedure in the coming days.

Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias contacted the firefighter to extend his wishes for a speedy recovery.