Strong currents at Palanga pier claim 17-year-old’s life
Monday 17th August 2026 on 18:30 in
Lithuania
A 17-year-old Polish citizen drowned and two other children were rescued at the weekend near the Palanga pier, LRT reported. Swimming is strictly prohibited within 40 metres of the pier in both directions because of dangerous currents and deep holes.
Kajus Pirožnikas, chief lifeguard of the Palanga Lifeguard Service, said holidaymakers from Poland had been swimming in the prohibited area, where whirlpools, sudden drops in depth and sharp rocks can make it difficult even for experienced swimmers to reach safety.
“Because whirlpools form there and the seabed is very uneven, with sharp rocks, it is the most common location for drownings,” Pirožnikas told LRT Radio. He compared the area with the prohibited swimming zone near the breakwater in Šventoji, saying the location at Palanga pier was also critical.
According to Pirožnikas, strong winds blowing towards the shore can create whirlpools between rocks and the pier’s supporting posts. The holes remain for a long time, and he said a large hole had been found near the rocks where the teenager’s body was located.
People often fail to notice warnings about the dangerous zone, he said. Swimmers can also be carried into it by currents from other parts of the beach.
The report of the drowning reached lifeguards at 8:13 p.m., after their regular shift had ended at 8 p.m. Pirožnikas said the team responded in about two and a half minutes while operating in standby mode. Lifeguards rescued one child who had become caught on a pier post and searched for the teenager who had gone under the water.
Holidaymakers also formed a human chain to help with the rescue. Pirožnikas said, however, that only people who are strong swimmers should attempt to help someone in the water. Several people who tried to assist despite being unable to swim well had to be rescued themselves after becoming exhausted near the point of drowning.
He said lifeguards have stressed for several summer seasons that minors swimming without adult supervision remain a serious problem.