17-year-old Polish tourist drowns in Palanga, Lithuania, after strong current sweeps three children near pier

What happened

A 17-year-old tourist from Poland drowned on Saturday evening in the Baltic Sea resort of Palanga on Lithuania's western coast. The family, travelling with three children, decided to swim near the pier after 8 PM local time. Shortly after everyone entered the water, a strong current swept all three children. The father pulled a young girl from the water by himself, and rescuers brought a roughly 13-year-old boy to shore after the current carried him toward the bridge, where he managed to grab the supports. The 17-year-old was pulled under the surface almost immediately.

Mayor Šarūnas Vaitkus said rescue services received the emergency call at 20:13 (19:13 Polish time). Rescuers on jet skis reached the scene within a minute, but the teenager was no longer visible on the surface. Divers recovered his body after about an hour.

Conflicting accounts

Vaitkus noted that media had given different versions of the incident, some reporting that the teenager jumped from the bridge or slipped on rocks. He stated that the family had simply decided to swim near the pier. Radio Zet, citing Onet, offered a partly different account: it reported two teenagers drowning, with the 17-year-old found about 50 metres from shore, underwater. According to that report, rescuers pulled him out and transported him to shore by jet ski, but resuscitation efforts failed. The second person's vital functions were restored. The exact causes and circumstances are to be clarified by the authorities.

Mayor's reaction

Vaitkus posted an emotional message on Facebook on Sunday, asking the public not to speculate about the event and stressing respect for the deceased and his family.

“We are shocked. It is particularly painful to realise how quickly a beautiful family evening by the sea can turn into a tragedy. After the loss of a child, there are no words that could ease the enormous pain.”

He thanked the rescue services, doctors, and bystanders who tried to help, noting that people formed a human chain holding hands to reach as far into the sea as possible.

Rescuer's appeal

Lithuanian rescuer Kajus Piroznikas published a video of the rescue operation on social media and addressed parents directly.

“Protect your children. Do not leave them alone by the sea and do not let them swim without the supervision of an adult. The sea can be merciless, even when it seems calm.”

The incident occurred at a popular pier in Palanga, a well-known Lithuanian seaside resort on the Baltic coast. The 17-year-old was confirmed to be a Polish citizen. Authorities will now investigate the precise causes and circumstances of the drowning.