According to the forensic medical report, the death of 18-year-old Katerina from Athens was caused by drowning. She lost her life yesterday afternoon (27 August 2026) after falling into the Dermata waterfalls near Veria in northern Greece.
A Tragic Afternoon Out
Katerina had traveled to Veria to spend her 18th birthday — which would have been today — in Rizomata, her family’s hometown, where she was staying with her grandmother. Accompanied by a 17-year-old friend, she decided to take a walk to the scenic Dermata waterfalls, a popular natural attraction known for its striking beauty and tranquil setting.
At one point, she sat beside the lake near the falls and asked her friend to take her photograph. Moments later, she slipped and fell into the water. A panic quickly spread among bystanders, prompting immediate emergency calls to 112.
Rescue Efforts and Eyewitness Account
Local resident Costas Brantis was among those who rushed to help. Speaking to newsit.gr, he described the harrowing moments that followed: “I was called around 4:30 p.m. and told a girl had fallen in and rescuers were searching for her. I know the area well, so I went straight there. I dove in with another person — the water is deep and extremely murky. We couldn’t see anything. We searched for a long time, as did firefighters on site. When the EMAK (Emergency Medical Response Unit) divers arrived, they began their own search — and located her within three minutes at depth.”
Medical and Investigative Findings
Preliminary forensic findings confirm drowning as the cause of death. No signs of criminal activity or pathological abnormalities were detected. Investigators are exploring whether a possible epileptic seizure or sudden cardiac arrest — possibly triggered by the cold water temperature — preceded the fall. However, no conclusive evidence supporting either scenario has emerged from the initial examination.
Katerina, who reportedly had pre-existing health concerns, had shared photos from the outing on social media — images that now stand as her final digital traces. Her friend, who witnessed the incident, has already given a statement to authorities. His mobile phone has been seized to retrieve the last photographs taken before the accident.
The teenager’s body was transferred by EKAB ambulance for autopsy, which is expected to provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.