A 34-year-old British tourist has died after being recovered from waters off the Greek island of Zakynthos, commonly known as Zante. The man was pronounced dead at Zakynthos General Hospital following an incident on Tuesday afternoon (August 18).
Incident near Marathonisi
The tourist is understood to have encountered difficulties while swimming near Marathonisi, a small islet popular with day-trippers. Fellow beachgoers raised the alarm after spotting him in distress. Personnel from the Zakynthos Port Authority, assisted by members of the public on the shore, retrieved him from the water and attempted resuscitation.
Emergency CPR was carried out before he was transferred to Zakynthos General Hospital, where medical staff confirmed his death. The Port Authority has launched an inquiry into the circumstances, according to The Mirror.
Official statement from Port Authority
“Yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), the Zakynthos Port Authority was informed of a 34-year-old foreigner (British citizen) in a difficult position near the Marathonisi area of Laganas, Zakynthos,” officials stated in a release. “With the assistance of beachgoers, he was transported to the shore, where he was provided with first aid using the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) method. The 34-year-old was picked up by a patrol boat and transported to the port of Agios Sostis, Zakynthos. Subsequently, the man was taken to the Zakynthos General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Zakynthos Port Authority.”
Context of Zante tourism
Zante is a popular destination for British holidaymakers. A 2025 Which? Travel report named it the most tourist-overcrowded resort, estimating that overnight visitors outnumber local residents by 150 to one.
