A Dutch tourist has died while swimming in the sea with his family while on holiday in Italy.

The foreign affairs ministry confirmed that the 53-year-old from Haarlem drowned off the coast between Cogolete and Varazze, near Genoa, following a report in La Stampa newspaper.

His two sons managed to get out of the water, but he was swept away by a strong current. A lifeboat was sent out but was unable to rescue the man.

‘The Red Cross is assisting his next of kin and we are providing consular support,’ said a spokesman for the ministry.