British Man Missing in Lake Como After Diving to Rescue Teenager

Italy’s Lombardy region has launched a major search for a British man who disappeared while trying to rescue a teenager

A British man in his late thirties remains missing in Lake Como after diving into the water to help rescue a teenager and his father who were experiencing difficulties while swimming on Monday afternoon, Italian authorities said.

The man, who was reportedly 37 years old, had been spending time with the family during a boating trip when he noticed the father and his 16-year-old son struggling in the water near Lake Como’s western shore, according to the local coastguard.

Authorities said the British national, who was friends with the family, entered the lake in an attempt to assist them. The father and teenager were eventually rescued by a passing boat, but the British man disappeared beneath the water.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office confirmed that it was providing assistance to the missing man’s relatives while maintaining contact with Italian authorities involved in the search operation and investigation into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

“We are supporting the family of a British national missing in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities,” the Foreign Office said in a statement as search teams continued working across the lake.

A large emergency response has been assembled, involving helicopters, specialist divers and several boats from Italy’s fire department, coastguard and state police. Rescue teams have been searching both the surface and underwater areas around the reported location.

The operation has been complicated by the considerable depth of Lake Como, particularly in the area where the man is believed to have disappeared. Parts of the lake exceed 250 metres, making conventional diving extremely difficult and dangerous.

Italian Coast Guard officials said preparations were under way to deploy two remotely operated underwater robots. The equipment will allow rescuers to examine sections of the lake bed that are too deep for conventional divers to search safely.

The emergency was first reported at approximately 13:30 local time on Monday, corresponding to 12:30 BST. The man reportedly noticed that his friend and the teenager were struggling before entering the water to assist them.

According to the revised account provided by authorities, the teenager’s mother remained aboard the family’s boat with her younger son when she saw the British man disappear beneath the surface.

She immediately contacted emergency services, prompting a response from rescue teams operating around the western side of the lake. The father and teenager were subsequently brought aboard a coastguard vessel responding to the emergency.

Both the father and his teenage son were treated after being rescued. Officials said they were suffering from the onset of hypothermia, highlighting the potentially dangerous effects of prolonged exposure to the lake’s water.

The mother and her younger son were also in a difficult situation after their boat became adrift approximately 600 metres from the shore. Rescue personnel subsequently brought them safely back to land following the emergency call.

The sequence of events was initially reported differently by the Italian Coast Guard. An earlier statement indicated that the father had entered the water to rescue the teenager and the British man, but officials later revised that account.

The revised information stated that the British man had entered the lake after seeing the father and teenager experiencing difficulties. Investigators and rescue authorities are continuing to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the disappearance.

Lake Como, located around 30 miles north of Milan, is one of northern Italy’s best-known tourist destinations. Its dramatic Alpine surroundings, historic towns and deep waters attract large numbers of visitors throughout the year.

Research from the local chamber of commerce recorded more than 78,000 foreign visitors to the Lake Como area during 2024, underlining the region’s importance as an international tourism destination and popular boating location.

Despite its popularity, the lake can present significant risks to people entering its waters. Conditions can become particularly challenging as temperatures begin falling from September, increasing the danger of prolonged exposure.

The lake’s exceptional depth also presents major difficulties for rescue operations. While specialist divers can investigate some areas, depths beyond safe diving limits require remotely operated equipment capable of reaching the lake bed.

The underwater robots being prepared for deployment could therefore become an important part of the continuing operation. Such equipment can search deep areas while allowing emergency personnel to remain above the surface.

Search teams are expected to continue examining the area where the man was last seen. Helicopters and boats can monitor the surface, while specialist divers and remotely operated equipment focus on underwater sections.

Authorities have not publicly confirmed what may have happened after the man entered the water. The search remains focused on locating him, while investigators continue gathering information from the family members and other people who witnessed the incident.

The father and teenager survived the emergency after being rescued by the passing boat, while the mother and younger child were also brought safely ashore.

For the British man’s family, however, the search continues under difficult conditions. Italian authorities remain engaged in a coordinated operation across Lake Como, with specialist equipment being used because of the lake’s extraordinary depth.

The Foreign Office’s involvement means British consular officials are also supporting the family while Italian authorities manage the search. No further details about the missing man have been released publicly while the operation remains ongoing.

Lake Como’s deep waters and changing temperatures underline the challenges facing rescuers as they continue the search. Authorities are expected to use every available resource, including underwater technology, to investigate the lake bed.

The incident has drawn attention to the risks that can accompany recreational activities on one of Italy’s most visited lakes. The search will continue until rescuers can establish the missing man’s whereabouts and determine what happened after he entered the water.

This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members