Priest Rafał Cieszyński dies in Baltic Sea drowning near Darłówko

Rafał Cieszyński Baltic Sea drowning Darłówko rip current Polish priest death

Rafał Cieszyński, the 53-year-old parish priest of the Divine Mercy Parish in Lębork, died after drowning in the Baltic Sea near Darłówko on August 17, 2026. The incident occurred in the evening when Cieszyński and a 46-year-old woman entered the water despite rough sea conditions and a red flag indicating a swimming ban.

According to the Maritime Search and Rescue Service, a strong rip current pulled both individuals away from the shore. While the woman was rescued and transported to a hospital in Sławno, Cieszyński could not be saved. Despite resuscitation efforts by rescuers and the Air Ambulance Service, medical professionals declared him dead at 20:04.

The Pelplin Diocese confirmed the death, noting that Cieszyński was a well-regarded figure in his community. An investigation has been launched by the prosecutor's office to determine the exact circumstances, specifically whether the red flag remained displayed after lifeguards finished their shifts at approximately 17:00. Funeral services are scheduled to take place in Lębork and Szymbark.

Entities

Darłówko · Lębork · Maritime Search and Rescue Service · Pelplin Diocesan Curia · Pelplin Diocese · Rafał Cieszyński · Sea Search and Rescue Service

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] A doctor from the Air Ambulance Service (LPR) confirmed the death at 20:04. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] The incident occurred in Darłówko due to sea currents. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] A 46-year-old woman was rescued from the water and hospitalized. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] Rafał Cieszyński was 53 years old. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The funeral is scheduled for August 21 in Szymbark. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] An LPR doctor pronounced the man dead at 20:04 following resuscitation efforts. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] Rafał Cieszyński served as the parish priest of the Parish of Divine Mercy in Lębork. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] The Pelplin Diocese confirmed the death of Father Rafał Cieszyński on August 17, 2026. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] Two people were swept away by sea currents while swimming in Darłówko. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 3 SOURCES] A 46-year-old woman was rescued from the water and taken to the hospital. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl · www.fakt.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The funeral is scheduled to take place on August 21 in Szymbark. dzienniknarodowy.pl · polityka.co.pl