Palanga rescuers save swimmer caught in dangerous sea currents

Palanga rescuers pulled an adult man from the Baltic Sea after he entered the water despite a red flag and five-point waves, LRT reports. A video shared by the resort’s rescue service shows currents carrying him towards rocks.

The man tried to hold on to the rocks as he struggled to return to shore. Rescuers arrived immediately, pulled him from the water and handed him over to medical workers and police officers.

The swimmer suffered abrasions to his legs, while rescuers also sustained minor injuries during the operation.

After the incident, the man said he had previously worked as a swimming pool lifeguard and had wanted to test his knowledge and skills. He admitted, however, that the sea conditions had frightened him.

Senior Palanga lifeguard Kajus Pirožnikas urged people to act responsibly and stay out of the water when a red flag is raised, saying they should not force rescuers and bystanders to risk their lives because of poor decisions.

Palanga rescue service head Jonas Pirožnikas thanked the two rescuers involved. He said the red flag meant swimming was strictly prohibited and that the rescued man had been handed over to police, who would assess his actions and decide on any liability under the law.

Incident happened at the same place as recent drowning

The rescue operation took place at the same location where a teenager from Poland drowned several weeks ago. Services had searched the sea after receiving a report that someone was missing in the water. Divers also took part in the search, and the body of a young person was found after 9 p.m.

Initial reports described the missing person as a man, while later information indicated that a teenager may have disappeared in the water.