British teenager dies after swimming off red-flagged beach in Greek holiday hotspot

A British teenager has died after entering the sea at a beach displaying red warning flags at a Greek holiday hotspot.

The 17-year-old had been swimming with a friend off a beach in Chania, Crete when the pair 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.

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Six lifeguards rushed into the sea after the teenagers began shouting for help.

One of the boys was pulled from the water, but the second disappeared beneath the waves before rescuers could reach him.

A major search operation was launched involving lifeguards, the Greek Coast Guard, rescue boats and a drone.

Beachgoers also entered the water to help search for the missing teenager.

Despite the extensive rescue effort, the boy could not be found.

His body was later washed ashore near the mouth of the Kladisos River, around 100 metres from where he had 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. He was probably trapped at the bottom."

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Emergency crews attempted to resuscitate the teenager at the scene before he was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead.

The tragedy comes as authorities continue to warn holidaymakers about dangerous sea conditions along parts of the Cretan coastline, where red flags indicate it is unsafe to enter the water.

Between 350 and 400 people fatally drown in Greece every year, with majority of deaths being those aged 60 and over.

Just over a week ago, A 31-year-old British mechanical engineer drowned after falling into a Venetian canal during the opening evening of a romantic getaway.

Chatchawan Thongpia, who was Thai-born and lived in Scarborough, is thought to have lost his footing while walking through the Italian city on November 3, 2025.

Italian authorities believe Mr Thongpia may have accidentally toppled into the water after leaning against a railing.

Mr Thongpia had arrived in Venice for what was planned as a five-day break with his partner Samantha Lichfield.

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