A 17-year-old boy from Ireland has died after reportedly suffering an electric shock while bathing during a family holiday on a Greek island. The teenager died on the island of Kimolos on Sunday afternoon (August 9). The boy was from Ireland and had travelled to Kimolos, his mother's home island, for a summer holiday.
Initial assessments point to water heater fault
Greek outlet To Vima reported that initial assessments are pointing to a possible fault or electrical leak involving the property's water heater. However, no cause has yet been determined. According to Greek broadcaster ANT1, the teenager's mother has claimed there was no safety relay in the property's electrical panel. A safety relay is designed to detect electrical leakage and cut the power supply, reducing the risk of electric shock.
News24/7 reported that investigators are also examining the claim that a certificate relating to the property's electrical installation was issued in 2024. The house dates from around the 1970s, according to reports, while News24/7 also reported that the property's electrical installation was believed to be old.
Relative describes the incident
A relative of the teenager claimed to Greek television station Alpha that the incident happened as soon as the boy entered the bathroom and picked up the shower head, according to iefimerida. The relative reportedly said: “As soon as he went inside and picked up the bathroom phone, it was over.” They described the property as a summer house and said it was an old building which had allegedly required renovation several years ago.
The mayor of Kimolos, Kostas Vendouris, said the island was "in mourning and shock", according to The Irish Sun. ANT1 reported that a problem had previously been detected with the property's water heater around two years ago and that an electrician had subsequently provided a safety certificate.
Investigation ongoing
Investigators are seeking to establish what was examined when the reported certificate was issued and whether any safety issues had been recorded. The property has been sealed off by police and the teenager's body was transferred from Kimolos to Piraeus for a post-mortem examination. Once the investigation is completed, the case file will be forwarded to the relevant judicial authorities.
