Teenager from Poland drowns off Palanga beach, second child rescued
Two children were caught in the Baltic Sea near Palanga's pier on Saturday evening — rescuers managed to save one, but a 17-year-old could not be saved. Lifeguards are urging parents to watch their children more closely at the beach.
A tragedy unfolded on Saturday evening near the pier in Palanga, Lithuania, when two children began drowning in the Baltic Sea. Emergency services received the call at 8:13 p.m. Rescuers managed to save one of the children alive, but the life of the other — a 17-year-old — could not be saved.
According to the Lithuanian outlets Lrytas.lt and 15min.lt, the teenager fell into the water after slipping on rocks along the shoreline. Bystanders on the beach noticed what was happening and tried to form a human chain to reach and help the drowning youth. By the time rescuers arrived, he was no longer visible above the water.
Divers were brought in to search for him, and it took about an hour and a half to locate the teenager's body, which was found on the seabed at 9:22 p.m.
According to initial information, the 17-year-old had come to Palanga on holiday from Poland together with his mother and cousin.
Lifeguard's appeal to parents
Kajus Pirožnikas, Palanga's chief lifeguard, shared footage of the rescue operation on Facebook and appealed to the public. He stressed that the sea can turn cruel even when it appears calm, urging parents not to leave children unattended near the water and not to let them swim without adult supervision. He reminded the public that children's safety is in their parents' hands.
