Š. Vaitkus shared about this on the social network “Facebook”.
“Today, a few hours ago, the remains of 17-year-old Dominykas returned to his hometown – Augustów in Poland. His life forever remained in the sea of Palanga, where last Saturday, on the evening of the Feast of the Assumption, a terrible tragedy occurred.
Read more The masterpiece «Girl with a Pearl Earring» exhibited in Japan
Once again, we sincerely sympathize with the young man’s family and relatives, for whom the trip to the Lithuanian resort and swimming in the sea near the Palanga pier ended in such a painful misfortune.
Until now, we are shocked and deeply grieving this loss. It is hard to find words that could at least somewhat ease the pain of the parents and relatives. Sometimes all that remains is to be close, help as much as we can, and quietly express sincere condolences.
Now Dominykas’s parents and relatives are preparing for the final farewell to their child. May this farewell be as peaceful as possible, and may the family not lack kindness, understanding, and support from people during this extraordinarily difficult time.
I want to sincerely thank the Klaipėda companies “Alterna”, “Amžiaus vartai”, and Šiauliai’s “Tomas ir Co”. Together, we looked for ways to help the family affected by the tragedy to arrange all the necessary formalities in our country so that the relatives would not have to come to Lithuania again and experience additional hardships here.
Thanks to the head and staff of the Polish Embassy in Lithuania, who on their own initiative communicated with Polish institutions and helped speed up the receipt of all necessary certificates and documents.
I thank Ramūnas, the administrator of the Palanga hotel “Vėtra”, who in the first, most difficult days helped communicate with the family in Polish and had to find the most sensitive words.
We did whatever we could – in the face of tragedy, a person cannot remain indifferent to another person’s pain.
The investigator of the Klaipėda County Chief Police Commissariat, who was assigned to investigate the circumstances of this incident, regularly called even after working hours to ask if his help was needed.
Read more What is that small hole in the bathroom sink really for? Not everyone knows
The people of Palanga, with whom the family stayed privately, offered the people to stay in Lithuania as long as needed, free of charge. However, the family decided to go home.
All this are quiet but very important signs of humanity. They remind us that even in the hardest moment, a person can be a support to another person and how much warmth and kindness there is in our people.
Today Dominykas has already returned home. Unfortunately, not as he should have returned – with family, with memories of Palanga, the sea, and summer days. He returned to where his final farewell awaits.
Palanga sincerely mourns together with Dominykas’s family and the people of Augustów.
May the knowledge that they are not alone in this difficult hour at least slightly ease the family’s pain of loss. That their pain is also in our hearts.
Rest in peace, Dominykas,” wrote Š. Vaitkus on the social network “Facebook”.
We remind that on August 15, a tragic accident occurred in Palanga – a 17-year-old young man drowned in the sea.
The report about a drowning person was received at 20:11. Initially, the General Emergency Center’s report indicated that a man was drowning. Upon arrival of the services at the scene, the information was clarified – it could have been a minor who drowned.
Firefighters and divers worked at the scene. The search in the sea lasted more than an hour.
At 21:22, the body of the 17-year-old was found 57 meters from the drowning site, at a depth of 3 meters. Medics confirmed the young man’s death.
Read more After the shocking video from Palanga – the Child Rights Service spoke out: «Just one minute…»
