A Saudi citizen has died after drowning in Lake Geneva, Switzerland, the Saudi Consulate General in Geneva confirmed on Sunday. The consulate issued an official statement saying it is closely coordinating with Swiss authorities to complete all necessary procedures for the repatriation of the body back to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.No further details have been released regarding the identity of the deceased or the specific circumstances surrounding the drowning. The consulate did not indicate whether the individual was accompanied, nor did it provide any information about the nature or status of an investigation.In its statement, posted to its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the consulate expressed “sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathy” to the grieving family. It emphasized that all consular staff are involved in supporting the family during this difficult time and working to ensure the body’s safe and respectful return home.Lake Geneva, one of Europe’s largest and most visited lakes, is a popular destination for tourists from around the world, including families from the Gulf region. While generally safe, the lake has areas with deep waters and unpredictable currents, and swimming in unmonitored zones can pose risks.
A Second Tragedy: Father and Son Swept Away in Brienz Lake
This is not the first such tragedy involving Saudi tourists in Switzerland this year. In a deeply emotional incident earlier in July, 2024, Dr. Abdullah Alanazi, a respected Saudi academic, drowned while attempting to save his two-year-old son in Brienz Lake, near the Giessbach Waterfalls in the Swiss Alps. Dr. Alanazi was on a family holiday when the incident occurred. While taking photographs by the scenic waterfalls, his son, Abdulaziz, reportedly slipped and fell into the water. In a desperate effort to rescue his child, Dr. Alanazi jumped in after him. Both were swept away by powerful currents as his wife and daughter looked on in horror. Rescue teams, including helicopters and boats, responded swiftly and conducted an intensive two-day search. Dr. Alanazi’s body was eventually recovered. The search for young Abdulaziz remains ongoing. Dr. Alanazi was the head of the research unit at the College of Applied Medical Sciences in Riyadh and was widely respected in his field.Although unrelated, both incidents have brought renewed attention to water safety among travelers visiting Switzerland. Alpine lakes, rivers, and waterfalls can appear calm but often conceal dangerous conditions like slippery rocks, sudden drops, and fast-moving water.
