The Deputy Prosecutor on the island of Rhodes has ordered a preliminary investigation in the case of the 7-year-old British girl that was reportedly drowned in a hotel swimming pool in Lindos. Police has to investigate whether the child had a meal before going to the pool to play together with her two siblings.
The girl was found unconscious in the hotel swimming pool around 13:30 Wednesday noon. She was wearing a water mask and her head was above the water.
The lifeguard and two French doctors felt the girl had pulse and tried to revive her.
Based on witnesses, the girl had reportedly a meal before going to water and had puked pizza during the efforts to revive her by the pool, local media report on Friday.
An ambulance transferred the girl to the hospital where she passed away a few hours later despite doctors’ efforts.
The lifeguard was arrested for exposure of a minor to danger and he may face charges for homicide by negligence.
The 29-year-old was still in shock when he appeared before the prosecutor on Thursday afternoon.
It is still unclear whether the parents were nearby and who found the girl.
“The parents are saddened about what happened in the few minutes the girl escaped their attention,” local media report.
An autopsy is to shed light into the exact cause of the death of the 7-year-old British girl.
According to local media, forensic and police investigation focus on whether the girl had a meal before going to the swimming pool.
State broadcaster ERT TV reported on Thursday that the girl had an incident of high fever and votim before she flew to the island of Rhodes a few days earlier. “Preliminary estimations speak of a heart-based shock,” ERT reported.
It has not been revealed whether the girl was suffering from health problems
In a statement criticizing the labor conditions in hotels, the local branch of communist KKE said among others that the lifeguard was absent because he was sent to bring some towels.
KKE also heavily criticized the shortage of lifeguards not only in hotels but also at the beaches.
Of course, this is not a problem only on the island of Rhodes.
Twelve people were drowned in 48 hours, Greek media reported on Thursday. Six on Wednesday and six on Thursday. Ten were Greeks and two were foreigners.
More than 150 people have drown in the Greek seas since the beginning of the summer season.
Negligence of safety guidelines are often the reason.
