Foreign office gives balcony warning

sunnybeach

The Foreign Office has issued a warning for British nationals to take car on balconies in holiday hotspots this summer.

One Briton, Liam Davies, 19, has died when falling from a balcony at his hotel in Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (above), while three more have been injured this month along after plummeting from balconies while on holidays.

The latest incidents take the total number of reported cases this year so far to seven. Last year there were 14 incidents, many of which involved young people and alcohol.  The number has prompted the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to team up with travel association ABTA to launch a campaign warning of the dangers and providing advice and tips on staying safe.

Jon O’Shaughnessy, British Consul in Sofia, Bulgaria said: “Last year we had to deal with several deaths and injuries from balcony falls, and unfortunately we are already experiencing balcony accidents again. Our staff have seen the devastating effects a momentary lapse in judgement can have on the victim and their family and we are working hard to ensure people understand the risks.

“Accidents can and do happen and climbing from balcony to balcony, jumping off them or drinking excessively while on one only increases your chances of something going wrong. All too often these incidents cost lives but the risks can be avoided if you take a moment to just think about the possible consequences.”

Last year Jake Evans and his family gave us a harsh reminder of just how wrong things can go when he shared his story of falling seven floors after slipping over the edge of his balcony while trying to reach for something on the balcony below. Jake’s story can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/taking-action-to-help-prevent-balcony-incidents-abroad.

For more on the campaign, see www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo