A leak in the heating pipes of a gas tank, which had been installed in the previous days, seems to be the cause of the family tragedy in Magiko Xanthi, where a 16-year-old boy lost his life while two of his sisters were fighting in the ICU of Hippocrates. The children were sleeping in the basement of the house, where they were allegedly poisoned by a large concentration of gas.

In the morning, when the 47-year-old mother went to wake up the 4 children, she saw that they were semi-conscious. He notified the authorities and the 4 brothers along with the mother were taken to the hospital. Despite the superhuman efforts of the doctors, the 16-year-old boy ended up dead.

The bridge of life was erected from Xanthi to Thessaloniki, accompanied by strong police forces. The EKAV rescuers fought against time in order for the two girls to reach the intensive care unit of Hippocrates as soon as possible.

“They had a problem with a gas leak, which they didn’t realize, and it was going around the house all night. (…) As far as I learned, the mother was on another level. (…) Even in the summer they had pellet heating, but I learned that they had installed gas,” said Mr. Ioannis Kostelidis, uncle of the children, according to ERT.

The two sisters remain intubated in Hippocrates

The 15-year-old is hospitalized in the Children’s ICU and her 18-year-old sister in the adult intensive care unit. Both are intubated in sedation. According to doctors, at this time their health condition is considered serious but stable.

According to information, the 15-year-old appears to be responding to stimuli with an entire medical team constantly monitoring her.

Relatives are by the side of the two children as the older sister and mother remain hospitalized.

Leak investigation

With the intervention of the public prosecutor, experts were appointed to clarify the causes of the tragedy. Indications point to a gas leak through piping. A gas tank had recently been installed outside the house.

According to ERT, liquid gas is heavier than atmospheric air and that is why, according to the indications so far, there was a large concentration in the basement of the house where the children were sleeping. This explains why those on the upper floor were not harmed. The same sources state that approximately half a cubic meter of liquid gas was allegedly collected in the basement.

A resident of the area said: “Information is that the mum was sleeping upstairs with one of the girls. (…) It’s a new house, we don’t know when it was installed.”

The Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, visited the Hippocrates hospital to find out about the condition of the children.

“Now the priority is the battle of the three other children to emerge victorious. I will reschedule it at the earliest opportunity. Sincere condolences to this family for their child who left, the ESY is with their family with all its strength” was the minister’s statement on platform X.