Three off-duty Greek police officers became heroes on Sunday (June 30, 2025), rescuing two men and a teenage boy who had been swept out to sea by strong waves and winds at a beach in Sykia, Halkidiki. The dramatic incident unfolded around midday when an Italian tourist began shouting for help after her husband and 13-year-old son were dragged into open waters near Agios Giannis beach. Without hesitation, the officers sprang into action.
According to reports from ERT, the officers quickly jumped into the sea and managed to pull the boy and his father to safety. While carrying out the rescue, they also noticed another man, of Serbian origin, struggling further offshore and immediately extended their efforts to save him as well.
“A woman came to us saying that her child and husband were in the water and couldn’t get back to shore. So we jumped straight in, pulled out the boy first, then his father who was deeper in. Even further in was another man of Serbian descent,” one officer recounted.
“We didn’t think twice — we just jumped in with some inflatable floats to help pull them ashore. I feel happy and proud,” another officer added.
The third officer described the intense conditions: “There were strong waves. We got the child out first, then used a floatation device to bring the father in too.”
The three rescuers — a police trainee, an officer serving with the Attica General Police Directorate, and a special guard stationed at the Leukos Pyrgos police station — were on vacation in Halkidiki when the emergency occurred. Despite being off-duty, they instinctively returned to their role as protectors, saving three lives from what could have been a tragic situation.
It has been reported by locals and tourists that although the beach stretches over three kilometers, there is no lifeguard on duty — a fact that raises concerns about public safety at the location.
The Serbian man who was rescued recalled his terrifying experience: “At some point, I found myself very far from the shore. The sea kept pushing me back, and I couldn’t help myself. The situation was more dangerous than I could imagine. There was no rescue boat or lifeguard.”
This heroic act highlights the importance of vigilance and preparedness, especially in popular tourist destinations where lifeguard coverage may be lacking.