Chaos erupted at Thriasio General Hospital in Elefsina on Tuesday evening (July 7, 2026), when a group of Roma individuals attacked medical staff and vandalized hospital property after delays in diagnostic procedures for their injured relatives.
Two Separate Incidents Amid Emergency Protocols
The first incident occurred shortly after 10 p.m., when seven or eight Roma individuals from Spata arrived with a two-year-old child who had sustained a wound requiring stitches. According to Michalis Giannakos, president of the Greek Doctors’ Union (POEDIN), hospital staff attempted to treat the child on-site but determined that due to the child’s age and condition, the procedure needed to be performed at the Children’s Hospital — a decision aligned with standard triage protocols.
Upon learning the child would need transfer, the group began shouting threats — including the phrase “Bring the gun so we can kill them” — and proceeded to smash equipment and furniture throughout the emergency department. Two other adult relatives, also injured and needing sutures, were present but disappeared before police arrived.
Police responded and arrested three individuals for causing extensive damage. Though hospital staff filed formal statements, all three were later released without charges — a pattern Giannakos described as dishearteningly routine.
Second Incident: Axial CT Delay Sparks Further Violence
A second confrontation unfolded around 10 p.m. involving two couples accompanying a Roma man in a wheelchair who required an urgent axial CT scan. At that moment, an extremely critical case arrived — a patient suffering from a ruptured brain aneurysm requiring immediate embolization. Neurologists and radiologists prioritized the life-threatening case, as mandated by clinical protocol.
In response, the group attempted to break the glass panels of the outpatient clinic entrance and caused further disruption inside the facility.
Systemic Concerns Raised by Medical Staff
Giannakos warned that such incidents reflect a broader, worsening trend. He estimated that approximately 70% of violent episodes targeting healthcare workers in Greek hospitals involve Roma groups — citing repeated disregard for medical protocols, mass arrivals, property damage, and verbal and physical aggression against staff.
“The daily reality we face is deeply alarming,” he said, underscoring growing concerns over safety, institutional support, and accountability in public healthcare settings.