In a bizarre turn of events, a 76-year-old retired nurse in Ecuador stunned her family and medical professionals alike by showing signs of life during her own wake. Bella Montoya, initially declared dead after a suspected stroke and cardiopulmonary arrest at the Martín Icaza Hospital in Babahoyo, shocked those present when she began knocking on her coffin.

According to Montoya's son, Gilberto Barbera, the incident occurred approximately five hours into the wake. He recounted hearing noises emanating from the coffin where his mother lay, wrapped in sheets. Upon closer inspection, they discovered she was breathing heavily and knocking from inside.

The astonishing discovery prompted the family to rush Montoya back to the same hospital where she had previously been pronounced dead. As of Monday, she remains in intensive care, intubated and in serious condition. Barbera expressed concern, noting that doctors have offered little hope for her recovery.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Health has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Montoya's erroneous death declaration. A specialized technical committee has been established to review the hospital's procedures for issuing death certificates. The ministry stated that Montoya had been admitted to the hospital on Friday with a suspected stroke and subsequent cardiopulmonary arrest. When she failed to respond to resuscitation efforts, the attending physician declared her dead.

This incident raises serious questions about medical protocols and the accuracy of death pronouncements. The investigation aims to shed light on the events that led to this unsettling situation and prevent similar occurrences in the future.