British yachtsman found dead in Greece with head injuries

Authorities in Greece are investigating the death of a British sailor, who was discovered floating in the sea with head injuries near an exclusive Greek island.

The 44-year-old, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found dead on Friday (28 June) in a bay area of Spetses, southwest of Athens. It is reported the man had injuries on the left side of his head.

“There was a gash on the left side of his head, a wound that is puzzling us,” an official told The Sun as the body was transported to Piraeus for a coroner’s examination. “He seems to have been hit. We hope to have answers soon because right now, it is a mystery as to how he died.’

Greek media reported that the yachtsman had been participating in the Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta, an annual classic yacht regatta on the island, which took place from June 26 to 29, before he was found dead. Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the exact location of his body; some reports suggest it was spotted by a passing vessel’s crew on a pier, while others claim he was found on a boat.

The exact cause of death remains unclear. The man was taken to a local hospital, where his death was confirmed, according to the coastguard. The body is now expected to be transferred to a coroner’s office in the port city of Piraeus.

Spetses is a small island in the Saronic Islands group. It covers an area of just 27 square kilometres and has a population of around 3,700. Established in 2011, the Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta is the most popular of its kind in Greece, drawing around 400 participants each June. Many of the attendees showcase rare traditional wooden boats.