PAPHOS – A 13-year-old boy from Paphos has died after falling into a canal and drowning.

According to police, the boy had been playing football with two friends of his close to the Yiannakis Taliotis School in Geroskipou when he slipped into the canal after running to collect the ball. The boy remained underwater for around 30 minutes before he was rushed to Paphos General Hospital. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

“At around 12.30pm, we received a report that a boy needed assistance after being located in a canal belonging to the Cyprus Water Board in Geroskipou”, confirmed Paphos Police Spokesman Nicos Tsappis. “The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation.”

Residents of the area told television reporters that the fence around the canal was not sufficient adding that better protective measures are needed for the area.