The sudden death of Apostolos Vesyropoulos, Secretary of the Parliamentary Group of New Democracy and Member of Parliament for Imathia, at the age of 59, has shocked Greece’s political community.
A tragic irony surrounds his passing, as Vesyropoulos had been a leading advocate for increasing the number of defibrillators across Greece, yet he died from cardiac arrest at Kalochori Beach in Halkidiki where a defibrillator was not available.
According to Anastasios Stefanakis, President of the organization Kids Save Lives and a veteran EMT with nearly 20 years of service in Halkidiki, Vesyropoulos had been instrumental in reducing the VAT on defibrillators to 6%, encouraging citizens and institutions to purchase these life-saving devices. This initiative led to the installation of thousands of defibrillators in schools and public areas, quadrupling their number since 2021.
Vesyropoulos reportedly felt unwell while at a beach bar in Sithonia, Halkidiki. The National Emergency Center(EKAB) was immediately called and performed CPR, transporting him first to the Agios Nikolaos Health Centerand then to Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki, where he was pronounced dead.
The Ministry of Health stated that the ambulance arrived within 20 minutes, and on-site rescue attempts, including CPR by an off-duty EMT and a doctor, were unsuccessful.
Vesyropoulos’ death leaves a significant void in the political life of Imathia and Greece. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his deep shock, paying tribute to the MP who had received the highest votes in Imathia.
