A 57-year-old British tourist was found dead in the waters off Prasonisi, Rhodes, on Sunday, September 7, marking the third fatality at the popular Greek resort destination. The man was discovered unresponsive and without a pulse around midday before being brought to shore by emergency responders.
Paramedics rushed the tourist to the Gennadi Health Centre, but medical personnel were unable to save him and he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Lindos Port Authority has launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, with an autopsy ordered to establish the exact cause of death.
Prasonisi is located at the southern tip of Rhodes and is renowned for its strong and stable Meltemi winds, making it a prime destination for windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts. The area consists of a sandy beach and a small rocky island, often connected by a sandbar that separates the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.
This recent death follows a pattern of British tourist fatalities in Greek waters. Just weeks earlier, on August 16, a 26-year-old British man died in Rhodes after his body was pulled from the sea off Lindos, the island’s historic tourist capital. The young man was found unconscious after swimming and was transported to the Archangelos Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead.
The island’s port authority confirmed their awareness of that earlier incident involving the foreign national being pulled from the sea. Emergency responders had rushed to the scene but were unable to save the victim. Local police investigated the circumstances around that incident, with an autopsy ordered by the Forensic Medical Service.
In June, another British fatality occurred when a 68-year-old man died on a beach in Greece after going swimming and losing consciousness. Officers from the Central Port Authority responded to Lindos beach in Rhodes and transported the man to the nearby Archangelos Health Centre, where his death was confirmed.
The UK Foreign Office has been providing support to affected families and maintaining contact with local authorities regarding these incidents. A spokesperson stated, “We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Greek authorities have been conducting thorough investigations into each incident, working to determine the specific circumstances that led to these deaths. The investigations involve gathering testimonies, examining evidence, and conducting autopsies to establish causes of death in cases that appear to be accidental.
These incidents highlight ongoing safety concerns for tourists visiting popular Greek destinations, particularly those involving water activities. The deaths have occurred at different locations around Rhodes, including both the tourist capital of Lindos and the windsurfing destination of Prasonisi.
Rhodes remains a major destination for British tourists, with thousands visiting the island annually for its beaches, historic sites, and water sports opportunities. The island’s port authorities and emergency services continue to respond to incidents involving foreign tourists, working closely with consular officials to support affected families.
Local emergency services have protocols in place for responding to water-related incidents, with medical personnel stationed at health centres throughout the island. The Archangelos Health Centre and Gennadi Health Centre serve as primary medical facilities for tourists requiring emergency treatment in different areas of Rhodes.
The investigation into the September 7 death at Prasonisi remains ongoing, with authorities working to determine the specific circumstances that led to the 57-year-old tourist being found unresponsive in the water. Results from the ordered autopsy are expected to provide additional information about the cause of death.
