Investigation follows death of 11-year-old girl in Chania hotel pool

An 11-year-old Polish girl died on August 30, 2026, after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a hotel in the Platanias region of Chania, Crete. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by hotel-affiliated doctors, emergency services, and hospital medical staff, the child could not be saved. The victim was the only child of her family and was vacationing in Greece at the time of the incident.

Following the tragedy, five individuals were arrested: the 43-year-old hotel representative, the 45-year-old hotel manager, a 22-year-old lifeguard, and the victim's parents, aged 45 and 41. All five were subsequently released after providing statements to the prosecutor. Initial reports from the hotel management suggest the child may have collapsed and fallen face-down into a shallow area of the pool, approximately 40 centimeters deep.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the exact circumstances of the death, pending the results of a forensic examination. The parents of the victim have reportedly stated that they do not intend to pursue criminal charges against the hotel establishment.