The drama took place on Saturday morning at about 9:30 a.m., off the coast of the tourist resort of Rethymnon on the northern side of Crete. Three middle-aged friends from Antwerp went to the sea to swim, but had problems due to the strong current.

One of them managed to reach safety under his authority, but his two friends Luc Lenaerts and Rudi Haxelmans were unable to stay above the water. Other swimmers alerted emergency services, but according to those present, it took about 20 minutes for the swimmers’ bodies to be removed from the water.

“They pulled the two men out of the water with jet skis, but they didn’t try to revive them,” said a Dutch tourist who witnessed the drama. “I am a healthcare professional by profession and immediately started long CPR with my partner and some onlookers. According to the rescuer, the two are already dead, but you can’t decide so quickly,” says the woman from Zeeland.

After CPR, the Belgians were taken to hospital by ambulance. There the death of the two was determined. The friendly couple who were with them on vacation in Crete came home yesterday. They were very excited to respond.