Nicola Maggiotto has opened his eyes, remains in intensive care, shook hands with his mother.

Nicola Maggiotto, 21-year-old from Asolo in the Veneto region, has shown signs of regaining consciousness after being attacked in Barcelona. The young man, who was hospitalized in critical condition following the assault, opened his eyes during the night and briefly made contact with his mother by shaking her hand. He remains under intensive care at the Hospital del Mar, still receiving pharmacological sedation as part of a gradual recovery plan. The family, including parents Daniele and Loretta Maggiotto, were present when the initial signs of awakening occurred. According to Monica Cornaviera, the family’s legal representative, Nicola had already begun showing positive responses earlier in the evening, such as movements of his arms and legs. The parents spent the night beside him, encouraged by these early signals. Another moment of significance came when the father moved a chair nearby, prompting Nicola to open his eyes and look toward him. Medical staff, including nurses, observed these developments positively but emphasized the need for caution. Despite these encouraging moments, Nicola is not yet fully conscious. His sedation has been reduced rather than stopped, allowing for a slow and careful process of waking up. Doctors continue to monitor his response to stimuli, and the coming days will determine how much he can regain awareness and interact with his surroundings. The medical team includes a neurosurgeon from Italy, who is assisting in communication between the Spanish hospital staff and the family. This Italian specialist, though not directly overseeing Nicola's case, plays a key role in facilitating dialogue. Support for the family extends beyond medical care. The Hospital del Mar has provided psychological assistance and a language mediator to help the family navigate their situation. Additionally, the Italian consulate in Barcelona has been actively involved, with Consul General Mattia Lupini meeting the parents in person and offering consular support. The family has also sought spiritual guidance, with a priest attending to their needs. On Saturday evening, a Mass was held at the Church of Sant'Anna in Barcelona in honor of Nicola. In parallel, investigative efforts into the attack continue. The Mossos d’Esquadra police force is working to reconstruct the incident using footage from security cameras inside the Seasea Club and surrounding areas near the port. They are also interviewing witnesses who might have seen the attack. The family is represented legally by both an Italian attorney, Monica Cornaviera, and a Spanish lawyer, Alessio Castellano, handling judicial matters in Spain. The attack took place in the early hours of August 12–13, outside the Seasea Club in Barcelona. Since then, Nicola has remained in intensive care, with his family constantly by his side. Over the past few days, doctors have noted a slow but steady improvement in his clinical condition and have started reducing his sedation. In addition to standard medical treatment, a physiotherapist has been involved in his care to maintain muscle tone and joint mobility during his stay. The ongoing recovery process highlights the complexity of post-trauma rehabilitation, especially in cases involving severe physical injury. While the family expresses hope, they remain cautious, aware that the road ahead is uncertain. Their presence at the hospital continues to provide emotional support, reinforcing the importance of family involvement in the healing process. As the medical team works to assess the extent of Nicola’s recovery, the focus remains on ensuring his continued stability and eventual return to health.