A tragic drowning incident involving an 11-year-old girl at Imeros beach in Rodopi, northern Greece, has led to multiple arrests, as authorities investigate what went wrong on the afternoon of her death, on August 1.
According to official statements, the child was swept out to sea on an inflatable mattress, despite not knowing how to swim. A massive search operation was launched shortly after 4:30 p.m., involving the Hellenic Coast Guard, private vessels, land-based teams, and an Air Force helicopter. The girl was eventually located from the air and recovered by the vessel DANAE, but she was unconscious. She was rushed to the Komotini General Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
On Monday, the Central Port Authority of Alexandroupoli announced the arrest of four additional individuals in connection with the child’s death, as part of an ongoing preliminary investigation. This brings the total number of arrests to seven.
Among those arrested were the girl’s parents and her older sister. All three face charges under Article 306 of the Greek Penal Code, which concerns the exposure of a person to danger. The parents were released pending a court date after giving their statements.
Authorities also arrested three others for failing to offer assistance during the emergency (Article 307 of the Penal Code):
- A 43-year-old seasonal speedboat operator
- A 47-year-old municipal employee
- A 27-year-old lifeguard, a Cypriot national working seasonally in the area
The arrested lifeguard was reportedly stationed near the beach but may not have responded promptly to the unfolding emergency. Authorities are examining whether there was a delay or negligence in the provision of immediate assistance, and further legal action has not been ruled out.
An autopsy carried out by the local forensic service confirmed that the cause of death was drowning. The forensic examiner noted that he found traces of food in the child’s stomach, suggesting she had eaten shortly before entering the water, though not in amounts that would have contributed to the fatal incident.
The investigation into the circumstances of the girl’s death remains ongoing.
