A 40-year-old man is in critical condition after being bitten by a viper while working on farmland in central Greece. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon, June 9, in the rural area of Vrysakia, located on the island of Euboea (Evia), northeast of Athens.
According to local reports, the man was performing agricultural work when the venomous snake attacked, biting through his protective gloves and delivering a serious injury. Despite wearing safety gear, the viper’s fangs managed to penetrate the material and inject venom, highlighting the potency of the snake’s bite and the limitations of typical protective equipment in such encounters.
Emergency responders rushed the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. As of the latest update, he remains in critical condition and under close medical supervision.
Viper bites in Greece are relatively rare but potentially life-threatening, especially in rural or mountainous regions where these snakes are more commonly found. The common European viper (Vipera ammodytes), often encountered in parts of the Balkans and southern Europe, is among the most venomous snakes native to the region.
While fatalities from viper bites are uncommon with prompt medical treatment, they can still lead to severe complications, especially if antivenom is not administered quickly. Symptoms may include swelling, intense pain, tissue damage, and systemic effects such as difficulty breathing or blood pressure changes.
