ATHENS, July 31, 2008 (AFP) - An Australian tourist beaten by bouncers at a nightclub on the Greek island of Mykonos is brain dead and his family will likely allow his life support to be switched off, his father said Thursday.

'The doctors have said he is brain dead, he's on life support, and maybe tomorrow we have to turn off the life support and take him home,' the father told reporters outside the Henry Dunant hospital in Athens.

The 20-year-old victim, identified by the Australian press as Doujon Zammit, was among six Australians involved in a confrontation with four doormen at the Tropicana club on Paradise beach, a well-known summer hotspot.

He was reportedly hit on the head with a baton, while two of his companions sustained minor injuries.

Zammit was sent to a health centre on Mykonos, then to hospital, before he was transferred to hospital in the Greek capital.

Police arrested two of the bouncers, and were looking for the others, after they were told about the incident Tuesday by the Australian embassy.

The two so far arrested claimed that the Australians were suspected of having stolen bags and wallets in the nightclub, a police official said. Both were to appear later Wednesday before prosecutors.

Holding back tears, Zammit's father blamed the incident on 'bad luck' and asked media to respect his family's privacy.

'The doctors have been very helpful, the police, airport and (Australian) embassy, everyone has been so helpful,' he said, his voice cracking.

'You have a lovely country with great culture...lovely people.'