Tragedy in Bulgaria's Nessebar: 8-Year-Old Dies After Parasailing Accident (UPDATED)

In Bulgaria, a tragic accident occurred on the South Beach in Nessebar shortly after 1:00 p.m., when an 8-year-old boy from Razlog, Blagoevgrad region, fell from a parasailing attraction. The child was lifted into the air together with his mother, but under circumstances still unknown, he fell from a height of 40-50 meters into the sea while his mother remained airborne.

Rescue teams acted immediately, bringing the boy to shore by boat and performing resuscitation efforts on site. Despite their rapid intervention, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Following the incident, law enforcement authorities detained three individuals involved in organizing and operating the parasailing attraction. Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the accident.

Witnesses reported the terrifying moment when the child fell, highlighting the suddenness and severity of the accident. Authorities continue to work to clarify what caused the rope to fail and whether safety regulations were properly followed.

New information: The child was lifted into the air alongside his mother by the parachute, but, according to initial reports, a belt securing the boy broke, causing him to fall into the sea from a height of approximately 40–50 meters. His mother remained suspended in the air, unharmed. Authorities quickly detained three individuals responsible for the attraction while an investigation is underway to determine the exact technical causes of the accident.

Eyewitness Tihomir Atanasov revealed on the national television that the response from emergency services was hampered by a lack of proper equipment. The first ambulance arrived around 20 minutes after the call, only to discover it lacked resuscitation tools, forcing the dispatch of a second ambulance from Burgas. This second vehicle took nearly an hour to reach the scene. During this time, rescuers and medics fought tirelessly to save the child’s life, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. The delays and absence of essential equipment have drawn particular attention, highlighting gaps in emergency preparedness.

The head of the Nessebar Water Rescue Service, Ivan Georgiev, described the incident as unprecedented for Bulgaria. He emphasized that all water attraction operators undergo mandatory inspections and receive permits before the season begins, and promised further checks along the Black Sea coast. Authorities are now investigating which institutions monitor the safety of the facility itself and have pledged additional oversight of all water attractions to prevent future tragedies. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of strict safety standards and timely emergency response.

The incident occurred near the Aphrodite Hotel.