Albanian Immigrant in Greece Dives 8 Meters Deep Into River Rescuing Two Children

 In a small town near Arta, Greece, a story of instinct, courage, and selflessness has captured the hearts of locals and beyond. It begins in the most ordinary of places—a café—where Levian Goga, known to many simply as "Leo," was sitting when a cry for help broke the calm.

Although some Greek media do not mention that Levian is Albanian, he has certainly shown a very high level of humanism, perhaps even more so than the Greek Orthodox Church itself.

Levian Goga speaking to the Greek media

"A child came riding a small motorbike and shouted, 'Help, two children are drowning in the river!'" Goga recalled, his voice trembling with emotion. "Without thinking twice, I ran. I jumped in my car and rushed to the scene."

What followed was an act of bravery few would dare to attempt. Goga pushed through dense reeds, searching desperately for any sign of the children. Seeing nothing from the shore, he joined others in a small boat and dove into the river.

"I dove once—nothing. The second time, I took a deep breath and went deeper, around eight meters. That’s when I saw him. The child was lying motionless, face dark, arms and legs spread out. It looked like he had died. I grabbed him and pulled him up with all my strength."

Segment of Arachthos River near Arta

As he reached the surface, Goga was told that a second child had also disappeared beneath the water. Despite being shaken, he dove again. "Two, three times. Finally, I found him. He was face-up at the bottom. When I brought him to the surface, blood was flowing from his nose and mouth. I got scared."

Levian Goga’s account is both harrowing and deeply human. His instinct to act, despite the danger, undoubtedly saved lives.

Originally from Berat, Albania, Goga moved to Greece at the age of 17. Now 41, he has spent 24 years in the country, working tirelessly in various unstable jobs. According to Greek media, "He did all kinds of work—unstable, insecure—without ever complaining. He fought. He worked hard. And somehow, with the quiet determination that defines resilient people, he built a life from scratch."

For the past five years, Goga has lived in Arta with his wife and two children, aged ten and six. Despite not knowing the children he saved, his reaction was immediate and instinctual—an act of pure humanity.

 Levian with his wife in Greece

In a time where stories of division often dominate the headlines, Levian Goga’s courage reminds us of what truly matters: the power of one person to make a difference, the quiet strength of immigrants building new lives, and the unwavering instinct to protect a child in danger.

Levian may not call himself a hero—but his community does.