Palanga: 17-year-old Polish tourist drowns in Baltic Sea

A 17-year-old Polish tourist drowned in the Baltic Sea near the pier in Palanga, Lithuania, on Saturday evening, August 15, 2026. The incident occurred when a strong current swept away a family of five who had entered the water near the pier.

According to Palanga Mayor Šarūnas Vaitkus, the father managed to pull his young daughter to safety, and rescuers successfully retrieved a 13-year-old boy who had clung to the pier's supports. However, the 17-year-old was pulled under the water almost instantly. Despite a rapid response from water scooter rescuers and a subsequent search by divers, the teenager's body was not recovered until approximately 21:22, found about 57 meters from the initial site of the incident.

Local authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation regarding whether the youth jumped from the pier or slipped on rocks, emphasizing that the tragedy was caused by powerful currents. The Palanga rescue services and the local community have expressed deep condolences to the family.