British tourist, 37, goes missing in Lake Como after diving in to save father and son
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By ELIANA SILVER, SENIOR FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
A British tourist is missing after diving into Lake Como to help save a father and son.
The man, 37, was on a boat with the father, mother and two sons, moored off the commune of Dongo.
The father and his 16-year-old son entered the water for a swim at around 1.30pm but soon began struggling, prompting the British tourist to dive in to help them.
Both father and son were rescued by a passing boat and taken ashore suffering from hypothermia, but the 37-year-old was not seen again.
The lake is more than 200 metres deep in parts of the area where the incident occurred, making the search especially challenging.
According to local reports, the coast guard called in specialist units from Milan and requested underwater drones to assist with the search for the missing man.
On Monday, firefighter divers, rescue boats and a helicopter were deployed to the scene to help in the search.
Local fire services said: 'Operations to prepare and deploy specialised equipment are currently underway.
The lake is more than 200 metres deep in parts of the area where the incident occurred (File pic)
'The search will continue tomorrow morning, with the combined use of divers and specialised equipment.'
Local reports have said the man who disappeared is 'of Nepalese origin'.
This summer, six people have drowned in Lake Como, including a nine-year-old girl.
In 2024, British student Sam Rigby from Liverpool tragically drowned in the lake.
The 22-year-old died after being unable to swim back to a boat he rented with his girlfriend Olivia Greenhall, 19.
Sam and Olivia were enjoying a romantic vacation on Lake Como, staying at a hotel in Tremezzina, when they decided to rent the vessel for a leisurely tour of the lake.
The pair decided to take a swim and dove into the water just off the coast of Menaggio, some four miles north of their hotel.
But the serene lake turned treacherous as strong winds whipped up and their boat drifted away with the currents, leaving them both stranded.
Neither were able to reach their boat or the shoreline, and as fatigue began to set in, Olivia lost sight of her boyfriend in the choppy waters.
The couple shouted for help and Olivia was saved when a boat passing by chance noticed her struggling against the waves, scooped her up and brought her back to shore.
Sam's body was later spotted by a Guardia di Finanza aircraft near Griante.
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