Mihail Nikolovski (15) from Bitola dove into the sea at Olympiada and rescued a family
A 15‑year‑old pupil from Bitola jumped into rough seas at Olympiada, Greece, on September 8 and helped pull a three‑member Bulgarian family to safety.
Fifteen-year-old Mihail Nikolovski from Bitola became a local hero after diving into rough water at Olympiada beach, Greece, to pull a Bulgarian family to safety.
The incident happened on September 8, North Macedonia’s Independence Day, when strong currents and large waves suddenly dragged a mother, father and their child away from shore. Witnesses say the father was losing strength while desperately holding on to his wife and child.
Quick action amid silence on the sand
According to family accounts, bystanders did not immediately move to help. Mihail — a pupil at SOU "Gjorgi Naumov" in Bitola — said he acted without thinking. "Honestly, I was scared. But the moment I saw that no one was moving to help them, I didn't think at all. I just started swimming to help," he said.
He was assisted on the beach by his mother, Jasna Nikolovska, and a friend, Elena. Mihail first reached the woman, who did not know how to swim, and brought her to shallower water. He then returned for the child and the father; with help from Jasna and Elena, all three were safely pulled ashore.
The rescue earned Mihail loud applause from people on the beach. The rescued Bulgarian family later thanked him with a meal at a local tavern and presented him with a diving mask.
The episode, shared on social networks by relatives and circulated widely, drew praise across the region as an example of courage and solidarity in a dangerous moment.
Photo: press material from the event
