Arachthos Hero: ‘I’ll Get Tattoos, Not For Citizenship, But To Keep Them in My Heart’

He is the hero who did everything: he dived again and again into the deep and murky waters of Arta to save the two boys. Joca Levan (Leon), the man who pulled the two boys from the Arachthos River, has been coughing up blood and experiencing breathing difficulties in recent days. He reportedly felt unwell but attributed his issues to lack of sleep and stress, as every time he closed his eyes, he saw the two children. A doctor referred him for tests at the hospital. Upon learning about the situation, Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis requested an ambulance to take him to the hospital for further examinations. Speaking today (15.06.2025) on ‘Akoma Den Eides Tipota,’ the ‘Hero of the Arachthos River’ discussed his health condition. ‘I am a father with two children, and I did everything I could for those kids. I’m okay; all my tests came back fine. There was a little water in my lungs, but I’m good now. I want to thank all the doctors and everyone who helped me. The Health Minister called me yesterday when he heard I had a cough and sent me to the hospital. The minister took care of me and they said they would grant me Greek citizenship. I didn’t dive to save the children to get Greek citizenship. Greece is my second home. I love it. I’ve grown up here, and I love it. I want to say something: let’s put up a sign by the river so this doesn’t happen again. Children cannot be hunted, but we must do something. I will get tattoos of the two children to keep them in my heart forever.’ According to reports, the lungs and heart of the 14-year-old suffered extensive damage due to prolonged submersion in the river and were deemed unsuitable for organ transplantation. Currently, at Laiko Hospital, the liver is being transplanted into a 43-year-old man, and a kidney transplant is also expected. In the coming hours, a similar procedure is anticipated for the 12-year-old Nisi. The president of POEDHN confirmed that the heart and lungs were deemed unsuitable for transplantation. ‘The doctors made tremendous efforts, but unfortunately, we couldn’t keep them alive. It’s astonishing how these parents, amidst their pain, decided to donate their children’s organs. For the 15-year-old, Spyros, the process began last night to retrieve his liver and lungs, but unfortunately, they were found unsuitable. This process might already be completed. The procedure for the younger child has not yet started but is likely to begin tonight.’