Brit tourist, 22, drowns in front of his 19-year-old girlfriend in Lake Como after they jumped off rented boat for a swim and it drifted away in strong winds during Italian holiday

• The 22-year-old Brit and his 19-year-old partner were on holiday in Tremezzina

A British student tragically drowned in the picturesque waters of Italy's Lake Como on Wednesday after being unable to swim back to a boat he rented with his girlfriend. 

The 22-year-old Brit and his 19-year-old partner were enjoying a romantic vacation on Lake Como, staying at a hotel in Tremezzina, when they decided to rent the vessel for a leisurely tour of the lake. 

With Italy in the grip of a heatwave, the pair decided to take a swim and dove into the water just off the coast of Menaggio, some four miles north of their hotel in Tremezzina. 

But the serene lake turned treacherous as strong winds whipped up and their boat drifted away with the currents, leaving them both stranded. 

Neither were able to reach their boat or the shoreline, and as fatigue began to set in the young woman lost sight of her boyfriend in the choppy waters.

The struggling girl was saved when a boat passing by chance noticed her struggling against the waves, scooped her up and brought her back to shore.

Though she was tired and in shock, she was physically unharmed and urgently informed her rescuers about her missing partner, prompting a massive search operation. 

Firefighters, rescue teams, and helicopters from both the fire department and the Guardia di Finanza scoured the lake and shores in the Menaggio area in the hopes the man had managed to save himself. 

But the 22-year-old's lifeless body was later spotted by a Guardia di Finanza aircraft near Griante and recovered on Wednesday evening.

The local Carabinieri in Menaggio have launched an investigation to piece together the details of this tragic accident.

An FCDO spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who died Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.'