Near-tragedy in Selanik: Homeless man rescued from garbage truck compactor at the last moment
A potentially fatal incident was narrowly averted in northern Greece when a homeless man sleeping inside a garbage container was rescued moments before being crushed in a waste collection truck.
According to Greek media reports, the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday on Nikis Avenue, one of the city’s central thoroughfares. The 46-year-old Romanian national had reportedly climbed into the container to shelter from heavy rainfall.
Workers’ Quick Thinking Prevents Disaster
Sanitation workers discovered the man while emptying the container into the truck. Realizing someone was inside just before the waste was transferred to the compactor section, they acted immediately to stop the process.
Their vigilance prevented what could have been a fatal accident, highlighting the critical role of attention and protocol adherence in municipal waste operations.
Injured but Stable
Emergency services were called to the scene, and the man was transported to Papageorgiou Hospital for treatment. Authorities confirmed that he sustained only minor injuries and is in stable condition.
Investigation Underway
Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while also emphasizing the importance of worker awareness in preventing such near-tragedies.
