A 78-year-old British woman has died in a hotel swimming pool in Crete, prompting Greek authorities to arrest three people including the lifeguard who was supposed to be on duty at the time of the tragedy.
The pensioner, who has not been named, was pulled from the water at a Hersonissos hotel yesterday afternoon after reportedly falling ill whilst taking a dip. Despite receiving first aid at the scene and the swift arrival of emergency services, she was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Greek police arrested a 21-year-old lifeguard alongside two hotel managers, aged 51 and 41, on suspicion of manslaughter by negligence. All three suspects have since been released on bail pending further investigation.
Third British Death in Greek Waters This Summer
The tragedy marks the latest in a series of deaths involving British tourists in Greece this summer, raising fresh concerns about water safety at popular Mediterranean holiday destinations.
Just weeks ago, a 74-year-old British man was found dead on his sun lounger at Stalis Beach in Crete on 20 July. The pensioner was discovered unconscious by fellow beachgoers at midday, with emergency services unable to revive him despite rushing to the scene.
Following that incident, a Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Greece and are in contact with the local authorities.
The deaths come amid heightened safety concerns at Greek coastal resorts, where authorities have implemented stricter beach regulations for the 2025 tourist season. The Heraklion Port Authority has issued new safety rules prohibiting anchoring within 100 metres of swimming markers and requiring municipalities to maintain safety buoys at beach areas.
Majorca Pool Death Adds to Summer Toll
The Crete incident follows another British tourist death in a hotel swimming pool near the Love Island villa in Majorca last week. The 72-year-old holidaymaker was found face down in the water at the BJ Playa Blanca Hotel in S’Illot on 29 July.
Emergency services were called just after 8.30am, with paramedics from an air ambulance team and life-support unit attempting resuscitation. However, emergency medical organisation SAMU confirmed the man had gone into cardiac arrest and could not be saved.
A British man aged 72 has been found floating face down in the swimming pool of a hotel in S’Illot,” SAMU said. “He was pulled out of the water and basic resuscitation manoeuvres were practiced on him until the first ambulances arrived when it was confirmed he had gone into cardiac arrest. Despite attempts to resuscitate him he died”.
The BJ Playa Blanca Hotel, located just 15 minutes from the Love Island villa in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, contains 100 rooms and markets itself as offering “access to the best white sand beaches and mountainous areas of the island.
Hersonissos: Popular Resort with Safety Challenges
Hersonissos, where yesterday’s tragedy occurred, is one of Crete’s most popular tourist destinations, located 28 kilometres east of Heraklion. The bustling resort town attracts thousands of visitors annually, particularly younger tourists drawn to its vibrant nightlife and beach activities.
The town’s beaches are known for their calm seas, a rarity along Crete’s northern coast due to prevailing northern winds. However, local safety advocates have warned about the risks associated with water activities in the area.
A travel blogger who witnessed a fatal drowning in Hersonissos last year wrote: “Unfortunately, Greece is known for seeing a high number of tourist deaths by drowning. Despite the warnings of big waves/do not swim, two men jumped off a rock into rough waves for a swim.
The blogger added: “Please, please, please be careful out there, the oceans and seas are a force mightier than we often care to remember. Better to be safe”.
Swimming Pool Regulations Under Scrutiny
The arrests in connection with the latest death have brought renewed focus on swimming pool safety regulations in the Mediterranean. Cyprus recently updated its swimming pool laws in July 2025, introducing clearer classifications and safety requirements for different types of pools.
Under the new Cyprus regulations, hotels and public pools face the strictest safety standards, including mandatory lifeguards, operating permits, and routine inspections. Similar standards are expected across European tourist destinations, though implementation varies by country.
The European standards EN 15288-1 and EN 15288-2, approved in 2008, set international safety benchmarks for swimming pool design and operation. These standards differentiate between public pools and private facilities, with specific requirements for each category.
Growing Concerns Over Tourist Safety
Greece welcomed approximately 35.9 million international visitors in 2024, with projections of 37.8 million for 2025. British tourists represent a significant portion of these visitors, with 4.55 million UK nationals visiting Greece in 2024.
Whilst Greece maintains relatively low crime rates and is considered safe for tourists, water-related incidents remain a concern. The Australian government’s travel advisory notes that “quad bike and motorcycle accidents have caused serious injuries and deaths of Australian visitors to Greece”, whilst also warning about water safety.
The UK Foreign Office advises British tourists to exercise caution during water activities and to ensure adequate travel insurance coverage. Many standard policies exclude activities considered extreme sports, including quad biking and certain water sports.
Investigation Continues
Greek authorities have not released details about the specific circumstances leading to yesterday’s drowning or the grounds for the manslaughter by negligence charges. The involvement of a lifeguard who was supposedly on duty raises questions about supervision standards at hotel pools.
Under Greek law, those convicted of manslaughter by negligence can face criminal charges, civil lawsuits, and substantial fines. The investigation will likely examine whether proper safety protocols were followed and if adequate supervision was provided.
The Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing support to the family of the deceased woman but has not released further details about her identity or home location in the UK.
As the Mediterranean tourist season reaches its peak, the incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of water safety. Authorities across Greek tourist destinations continue to emphasise the need for vigilance around swimming pools and beaches, particularly for older visitors who may be more vulnerable to health complications in the water.
The tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges facing popular tourist destinations in balancing accessibility with safety, particularly as millions of visitors flock to Mediterranean resorts each summer seeking sun and relaxation.
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Image Credit:
This is a licensed photograph (possibly uncropped or as shown):
- Kommos archaeological site, Crete, Greece – English description: Kommos, Crete by Zde, taken at 11:18 AM on 12 September 2014 with a Canon EOS 60D. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution‑ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY‑SA 4.0)
