Briton dies in Greece 'after being struck by lightning on paddleboard'

A Brazilian footballer who plays for a Greek team rescued the man, who was later pronounced dead

Rhodes island in Greece. Getty

An investigation has been launched into the death of a British man amid reports he was struck by lightning while paddleboarding in Greece.

The man, 26, was in the sea off the beach in Agia Agathi, Rhodes, as his girlfriend filmed him from the beach, according to local media.

The Port Authority of Rhodes confirmed to PA his age and nationality, but would give no further information.

“This is an active case so we cannot give more details at the moment," a representative said.

The UK Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Rhodes and are in contact with local authorities."

Greek newspaper Rodiaki reported that lightning struck the water near the man shortly before 1.30pm local time on Tuesday, causing him to fall in the water injured.

The newspaper reported that a passer-by, who it identified as a Brazilian footballer who plays for a local side, waded into the water to pull the man back to shore.

Medics then took him to a local hospital before he was declared dead.