A 54-year-old man has been pulled dead from a beach in Malia, in Heraklion, Crete.

As the flashnews.gr website reports, the incident happened on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 10, when the 54-year-old man from Italy attempted to climb the small island “Aphenti”.

During his ascent, the man for an unknown reason found himself in the sea – where he reportedly lost consciousness – and was pulled out dead.

The following is the statement from the Port Authority:

“At noon yesterday, the B’ Port Department of Hersonissos of the Central Port Authority of Heraklion was informed that a 54-year-old foreigner (Italian citizen) lost consciousness while disembarking from a water moped on the rocky islet of “Afenti” Christos Malia.

The 54-year-old man was recovered and transported by a marine recreational vehicle (MV) side operation to the shore, where he was given first aid by a lifeguard. He was then taken by an ambulance vehicle of the ambulance service and evacuated to the University General Hospital of Heraklion, where he was pronounced dead. Preliminary investigation is carried out by the Port Authority of Hersonissos, while the conduct of an autopsy – necropsy was ordered.”