A 60-year-old British man has died after getting into difficulty in the water off a beach in Crete, according to local reports. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon at Kato Gouves beach, located on the northern shore of the island in the Hersonissos municipality.
The man was spotted in the water when something went wrong, and he was pulled from the sea unconscious, as reported by Creta Live News. He was rushed to Heraklion General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Investigation and autopsy underway
An initial investigation into the death is being carried out by the Heraklion Port Authority, according to the outlet. An autopsy is also due to take place to determine the cause of death.
The UK Foreign Office has not been approached for consular support at this stage, Metro understands.
Previous incidents in the Mediterranean
Last month, a 34-year-old British holidaymaker died after being rescued from the sea in Zante. He got into difficulty in the water near Marathonisi, a tiny island off the Zakynthos coast. The swimmer was given CPR at the scene before being taken to hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
On the other side of the Mediterranean, parts of Spain were hit by deadly flooding this week. A British man died after his Volvo was swept away in Olivella village in the hills flanking western Barcelona. His lifeless body was found around 500m from the waterlogged car.
The latest death in Crete adds to a series of tragedies involving British nationals in the region this summer. The investigation by the port authority and the forthcoming autopsy will aim to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the man's death.
