Newsletters
Stavros Floros, a Greek contestant on the Turkish reality show Survivor, remains in serious but stable condition after a tourist speedboat struck him while he was spearfishing off the coast of the Dominican Republic, according to production company statements and Greek officials.
Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis described the incident as a “very serious injury,” saying the contestant was not currently fit to be transferred. Speaking to Greek broadcaster ANT1, Georgiadis said Greece’s public health care system would arrange transportation if requested by the family, adding that “we leave no one behind.”
According to reports cited in Greek media, the contestant suffered a partial amputation to his left leg and severe injuries to his right ankle.
In a statement, production company Acun Medya, a Turkish media company founded by Acun Ilicali, said the incident occurred outside the competition while the contestant was spearfishing, a form of underwater fishing using a spear gun, near the filming area in the Dominican Republic.
The company said a tourist boat allegedly struck the contestant and that emergency assistance was arranged immediately to help transport him safely for treatment. Authorities are continuing to look into the exact cause of the incident.
Acun Medya said the contestant remained hospitalized in “serious but stable condition and is out of danger,” while urging the public to avoid spreading unverified information until the official investigation is completed.
According to a local Dominican outlet CDN, the accident took place near Saona Island, an area off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic Navy said the tourist vessel, identified as Adrien III, returned to the Bayahibe shipyard following the incident. The boat’s captain reportedly told authorities the vessel had been heading to Saona Island for a tourist excursion when it accidentally struck the contestant, who had been diving in the area.
The contestant reportedly suffered severe injuries from the propellers of the boat’s outboard engines. Emergency responders from the Dominican Republic’s national emergency system provided first aid before transferring him to Centro Medico Central Romana hospital, where he remains under specialist care.
The Dominican Navy said it had launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The contestant’s father told Greek television that his son had been using a safety buoy supplied by the show during spearfishing, rejecting online claims suggesting otherwise. He also said another contestant had witnessed the incident.
Describing the severity of the injuries, the father said one leg had been amputated while the other suffered major ankle damage. He said his son lost a significant amount of blood and called his survival “a miracle.”
The contestant’s mother later told Greek broadcaster ANT1 that her son’s left leg had been amputated below the knee, while his other leg would require multiple surgeries. She said the family was currently focused on his recovery and survival.
Greek broadcaster SKAI TV said it had expressed support for the contestant and his family while closely monitoring his condition.
Although the network said production of Survivor falls entirely under the responsibility of Acun Medya, it added that it would contribute to medical treatment and rehabilitation where necessary.
The broadcaster also announced that television transmission of the program had been suspended until authorities fully clarify the cause of the incident.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
3 min read
