The ambulance service has issued a clarification in response to the complaint of the mayor of Folegandros about a long delay in the air ambulance transport of a cardiac emergency case.

Despite repeated appeals, according to the mayor, the helicopter arrived eight hours late, and the island’s fully equipped helipad was not used.

As the EMS stresses, on the evening of July 31, 2025, and at 22:33, the EMS Air Ambulance Coordination Center received a call from the physician of the Folegandros Multi-Purpose Regional Medical Center for an incident of a cardiac nature. According to the relevant information, the patient was stabilized and remained under continuous medical observation within a Health Care Facility, which ensures, by its nature, the basic safety conditions until the completion of the evacuation to a secondary care facility.

The process of searching for the most suitable means of transport was immediately initiated, with the priority of ensuring the health of the patient and the operational safety of those involved. As it was determined that the use of a watercraft was not feasible, at 01:23, a request was made to the General Staff of Aviation (GAF) for the availability of a flight vehicle, by the prescribed procedure.

As EKAB underlines, a helicopter was made available by the Air Force – with an EKAB flight team on board – which was already carrying out a scheduled air ambulance to pick up another patient “from Milos and would then head to Folegandros. Despite immediate mobilization, landing on the island at about 05:00 was not possible due to difficult weather conditions, which did not allow a safe flying approach. The helicopter departed without a pickup, adhering to the prescribed flight protocols that strictly govern any operational decision. Throughout, the ECAC Coordination Centre maintained constant communication with the attending physician, receiving regular updates on the patient’s stable condition.”

“With the change in weather conditions, a few hours later, on the morning of August 1, a new flight to the island took place. The helicopter landed safely in Folegandros, picked up the patient, and completed his transfer to Elefsina and then to the General Hospital of Elefsina “Triasio”, where he is being treated in a stable condition. Following the above, it is deemed appropriate to point out that the EKAB, in constant cooperation with the Air Force – whose staff members manage all aircraft – operates daily throughout the territory, including the most remote areas, with the sole aim of protecting human life. Every decision is taken based on actual medical and operational data and in strict compliance with the safety rules governing flights, ensuring the safety of patients, crews and means,” concludes the ECAB.

See in detail the letter of the mayor of the island:

“Distinguished Gentlemen/Madams of Parliament,

With this letter, the Municipality of Folegandros expresses its strong indignation and deepest concern over yesterday’s outrageous air ambulance incident, which put human life at serious risk.

Specifically, at 9 p.m., authorities were notified of a cardiac emergency that required immediate transport. Despite appeals and the seriousness of the situation, the helicopter arrived with unacceptable delay at 5.20 am – a full 8 hours after the incident was reported. Furthermore, while Folegandros has a fully operational helipad with 2022 specifications, the helicopter did not land and returned the next morning at 10:10 am, almost 13 hours after the first notification.

You do realize that we are talking about a complete failure of the emergency evacuation mechanism, with tragic potential consequences. And all this in 2025, on an island with a population of 4,500 and thousands of visitors at this time.

The fact that it was not possible to find a helicopter available from the EKAB in such a critical situation raises serious questions about the operational competence of the state and what care is ultimately being taken for the islanders of the Cyclades. Folegandros cannot be treated as a “fringe on the map”, when every day we struggle to keep alive an island that contributes to tourism and the national economy.

We call on you to take a public and responsible stand, and to demand immediately:

Investigation into what exactly happened with the coordination of the HCV.

Take measures for the immediate availability of air assets in the Cyclades.

Updating and strengthening the air ambulance system with constant readiness – especially for islands without hospitals.

Our patience is running out. We will not accept the loss of human lives through negligence or lack of organization. We demand respect and immediate solutions. Human life cannot wait.

With honor,

Kyriakos Marinakis
Mayor of Folegandros.”