Tragedy struck in Otranto (Lecce), where a man died after being taken ill after saving his two 8-year-old twin sons who were drowning in the sea.

The victim is Gennaro Cagnazzo, 54 years old , originally from Maglie but resident in Sanarica, also in the Lecce area.

The tragedy occurred near the La Castellana beach, where the two children were in great difficulty due to the rough seas; the waves and strong winds had pushed them out to sea and they were unable to return .

The man jumped into the sea, reached them, and managed to save them, bringing them both back to shore. Shortly afterward, however, due to the great effort he had put into it, he collapsed on the shore, unconscious . Resuscitation attempts by the two lifeguards and then by the emergency services were unsuccessful. The children, however, are both fine.

Officers from the local police station also intervened on the scene.

(Unioneonline)