A man was pulled from the water at Aberdeen Beach on Tuesday after a major rescue.
The alarm was raised at about 7pm, with coastguard teams and paramedics scrambled to the scene.
He was recovered from the water about two hours later and handed into the care of the ambulance service, and taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Police confirmed on Wednesday that the 33-year-old died in hospital.
A coastguard spokesman said: “Shortly after 7pm HM Coastguard received a call about a person in the water at Aberdeen beach.
“Coastguard rescue teams from Aberdeen, Stonehaven and Cruden Bay were sent to help with RNLI lifeboat from Aberdeen.
“Coastguard rescue helicopter from Inverness and an offshore helicopter also attended the incident.
“The person was recovered from the water by coastguard rescue team and passed onto the care of the ambulance service medical team.”
Coastguard teams from Aberdeen, Stonehaven and Cruden Bay, as well as Aberdeen lifeboat crews, were at the scene.
A coastguard rescue helicopter from Inverness and an offshore helicopter were also deployed to assist with the rescue mission.
Dozens of teams – including rescue divers – were seen scanning the dark water for more than three hours to locate the person.
Five police vehicles have also been sent to the incident and a section of the Beach Esplanade has been cordoned off while officers carry out inquiries.
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