British teenager drowns at Crete beach while friend is rescued

A 17-year-old British male died after entering the sea at a beach in Chania, Crete, where red warning flags were displayed. The teenager was swimming with a friend when both got into difficulty in rough conditions. A witness told local media the boys ignored warnings before entering the water.

"Despite the red flags, they decided to dive, defying the danger," the witness said. Six lifeguards entered the sea after the teenagers began shouting for help. One of the boys was pulled from the water by rescuers.

The second boy disappeared beneath the waves before rescuers could reach him. A search operation was launched involving lifeguards, the Greek Coast Guard, rescue boats, and a drone. Beachgoers entered the water to assist in the search.

The boy's body was later washed ashore near the mouth of the Kladisos River, approximately 100 metres from where he disappeared. "They managed to get one of them out relatively quickly. The second one disappeared," the witness said.

"Eventually the sea washed him up about 100 metres away. " Emergency crews attempted to resuscitate the teenager at the scene. The teenager was taken to hospital by ambulance and pronounced dead. Between 350 and 400 people fatally drown in Greece every year.

The majority of drowning deaths in Greece each year involve people aged 60 and over. A 31-year-old British mechanical engineer named Chatchawan Thongpia drowned after falling into a Venetian canal on November 3, 2025. Chatchawan Thongpia was Thai-born and lived in Scarborough.

Chatchawan Thongpia had arrived in Venice for a planned five-day break with his partner Samantha Lichfield. Italian authorities believe Chatchawan Thongpia may have accidentally toppled into the water after leaning against a railing.