The 48-year-old, along with an Italian man, died off the coast of Ostuni in the Puglia region of southern Italy

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

A British man has died in Italy after attempting to rescue his daughter when she got into difficulty in the sea, according to reports.

The tourist had rushed into the water along with an Italian man working at the Bosco Verde beach, Ostuni, in the Puglia region of southern Italy, according to the newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The paper said the 48-year-old man, who had been at the beach with his family, was taken by strong currents in the sea.

Both men had reportedly been pulled from the water and given CPR by medics but they were pronounced dead. The coastguard rescued others who were in difficulty and said the conditions were caused by strong winds, the paper added.

Local news site Ostuni Notizie reported the girl was 11 years old and was saved.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Puglia. Our staff are in contact with Italian authorities.”