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Teenage British holidaymakers die in Rhodes parasailing tragedy

Two British teenage holidaymakers were killed and another seriously injured in a half-term parasailing accident off the coast of Rhodes.

Two brothers, aged 15 and 13, and their female cousin, 15, were on holiday when a rope holding their parachute snapped off the coast of the resort of Pefki, according to the Greek coastguard. 

The 13-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl died while the older boy is in a “serious condition with multiple injuries” in hospital on the island.

The trio were being towed by a speedboat when the accident happened on Wednesday at around noon local time and were reported to have been found on nearby rocks. 

Some reports suggested the three teenagers fell about 400ft, about 100ft above the safety limit for parasailing in Greece, in strong winds.

Their bodies were found by the coastguard and fire department who had been contacted by the person who controlled the boat, a Greek coastguard spokesman said. 

The coastguard spokesman said: “It is under investigation about how the rope was cut. 

“The guy who controlled the speedboat and another person were arrested.”

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of two British people following their death in Rhodes, and are in contact with the Greek authorities.”

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