A 57-year-old British tourist was found unresponsive in the waters around Prasonisi, a popular spot near the Lindos resort on the Greek island of Rhodes, and later died at a local hospital, authorities said Monday, marking the third death involving British nationals in the area this summer.
The man was discovered midday on Sunday, Sept. 7. Local officials said he had no pulse when he was brought ashore and was taken by ambulance to the Gennadi Health Centre, where doctors were unable to revive him and he was subsequently declared dead. The Lindos Port Authority has opened an investigation and ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities said the man’s identity has not been disclosed. The Lindos Port Authority said its inquiry is focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident and that findings from the autopsy will be shared with judicial authorities as required under Greek law.
The incident follows two other recent deaths of British nationals in the Lindos area this summer. On Aug. 16, a 26-year-old British man was pulled from the sea in Lindos and transported to the Archangelos Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead. The Central Port Authority of Rhodes said it had been alerted to an emergency involving "a young foreigner who was pulled from the sea." A forensic examination was ordered in that case.
In June, a 68-year-old British tourist reportedly lost consciousness while swimming at a Lindos beach and was taken to the Archangelos Health Centre, where medics confirmed his death. Local reports said an autopsy was carried out in that case as well.
A spokesperson for the British Foreign Office told MailOnline that the government was supporting the family of a British man who died in Greece and was in contact with local authorities. Greek authorities have not released further details about any of the three deaths pending the outcome of forensic examinations and official investigations.
Lindos, on the southeastern coast of Rhodes, is a well-known destination for international tourists, particularly during the summer months. Local emergency and port authorities typically coordinate search-and-rescue operations and medical evacuations for incidents along the coast, and judicial medical services carry out post-mortem examinations when deaths occur under unclear circumstances.
Officials have urged that inquiries be allowed to proceed and said they would make information public when available. For the families involved, consular support and liaison with Greek authorities have been cited as standard practice in such cases.
Further information, including autopsy results and any related findings from the Lindos Port Authority investigation, has not yet been released.