The incident

A four-year-old girl drowned in the swimming pool of a hotel in Milano Marittima, on the Ravenna coast, on Saturday afternoon. Emergency services (118) and Carabinieri from the local Cervia company and the Ravenna Investigative Unit arrived at the scene, along with the on-duty prosecutor Angela Scorza. According to an initial reconstruction, the child was with her father between the games room and the pool area. The man reportedly left briefly to go to the hotel room, and the girl fell into the water during his absence.

Investigation

Carabinieri and the prosecutor's office have opened an inquiry to clarify the exact circumstances of the drowning. Investigators are trying to determine where the mother was at the time and what position the lifeguard held. No charges have been announced. The prosecutor's office is coordinating the first evidentiary steps, and the Carabinieri are gathering witness statements.

Official reaction

The mayor of Cervia, Mirko Boschetti, posted a message of condolence on social media shortly after the news broke.

“Today we are struck by a tragedy that deeply marks our city. A little girl of just four years lost her life in a tragic accident in Milano Marittima. In this moment of great sorrow, I wish to express my most sincere condolences to the parents and all the family members. It is difficult to find words that can ease the pain of such an immense loss, but on behalf of myself and the entire city I express all possible closeness to the family.”

Recent pool tragedies

The drowning is the latest in a series of serious pool incidents in Italy in recent days. On Friday, 11-year-old Alice Ferrari died at the Gaslini hospital in Genoa after her hair was sucked into the drain of a pool at the Segesta bathing establishment in Sestri Levante. The two owners of the facility, a man and a woman, have been placed under investigation for manslaughter. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, after which the magistrates will authorise the organ donation requested by the family. The investigation is also examining compliance with a regional law that prohibits unaccompanied minors under 12 from accessing such facilities, as well as the safety measures in place.

Earlier on Saturday, a two-year-old boy nearly drowned in a small pool at a private home in Montignoso, in the province of Massa Carrara. A call to the 118 emergency centre at 11:04 prompted initial instructions to those present, followed by the arrival of paramedics. The child was stabilised, resumed breathing independently, and was taken under code red to the Apuane hospital before being transferred by air ambulance to the Meyer paediatric hospital as a precaution. He is reported to be well and not in danger.