Deadly bathing accident: 80-year-old drowns off Sardinia's coast

Deadly bathing accident: 80-year-old drowns off Sardinia's coast

Maragnani, Valledoria, Italien - A tragic misfortune shook the coast of Sardinia on May 29, 2025. An 80-year-old Austrian drowned during swimming when he was grasped by a strong current together with his 73-year-old wife. The incident occurred in front of Maragnani beach in Valledoria, where the bathing conditions are not always safe. While his wife could get to the bank with the help of other swimmers, the rescue operation for the man failed and he could no longer be helped. He finally had to be recovered dead.

After the first aid was carried out, the wife was transported to a nearby hospital with a helicopter, where it could be medical care. This dramatic situation illustrates the dangers that can lurk when bathing in the sea, especially in confused currents.

bathing accidents in Sardinia

The Sardinia region attracts thousands of tourists every year who enjoy their time in the sun. However, the bathing season is also characterized by a worrying number of fatal bathing accidents. Statistics show that many beaches in Sardinia have no lifeguards at their disposal, which bathing often even officially prohibits. The beaches where warning signs, like on the beach of Rena Matteo in Aglientu, indicate "bathing", where only sunbathing is allowed.

Especially on windy days or with a high waves there is a high risk from RIP currents. These dangerous currents arise when water is rinsed on land by waves and then quickly flows back into the sea by narrow points. These currents are not only for inexperienced swimmers, but also for strong adults a serious threat that underestimates many people. Signs of such currents are a calm water surface between waves, foaming water that flows back into the sea, as well as cloudy, sandy water that pulls outwards.

safety tips for swimmers

To minimize the risks when bathing, there are some basic safety tips that should take every bathing guest seriously:

• only bathe on beaches with permission and lifeguards.
• Stay calm during RIP currents and swim in parallel to the shore to get out.
• If the waves are high, children should not play in the surf.
• Pay attention to warning flags: red flag means danger to life - bathing, yellow flag means caution - only for experienced swimmers.
• use swimming aids for children and inexperienced swimmers.

Security when bathing should always be the top priority. If you get into a current, it is advisable to keep calm and not to fight against the current. Instead, you should wait for better weather conditions before you go into the water again. More information about currents and safe bathing are available on the DLRG.

The accident in Sardinia serves as an important memory to take the dangers of nature seriously and to always find out about the conditions before swimming. Every visitor should obtain information about the local safety regulations and possible risks.

reports on the current events [5min] and other important information about bathing accidents in the region can be found on [Sardinia Island].