Serres Hospital Explosion: 19-Year-Old Risks Losing Sight

An official administrative investigation has been ordered by the Ministry of Health following an explosion at Serres General Hospital on Wednesday afternoon (June 18, 2025). Two refrigeration technicians were injured during technical work. One of them, a 19-year-old trainee from OAED, suffered severe corneal trauma and is at risk of losing his eye. The incident occurred while repairing a refrigeration unit for storing reagents, likely due to mishandling of a vial. Both workers were outside the morgue when the explosion happened. The young trainee was initially transferred to Serres General Hospital and later to Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki, where doctors are fighting to save his vision. The second injured worker, a 45-year-old permanent hospital employee, sustained contusions and burns but is out of danger. Although no fire accompanied the explosion, it caused panic and mobilized the Fire Service. Three fire trucks rushed to the scene for precautionary measures and full situation control. The incident is under investigation, with safety protocols during technical work being examined. Preliminary estimates suggest either human error or material malfunction. The hospital’s statement confirmed the explosion during maintenance work, noting that both victims suffered contusions and minor burns, with the teenager also experiencing severe corneal damage.