Second Cyprus drowning also occurred near breakwaters, no measures taken

Local beachesdeathLarnacasafetyTop News Second Cyprus drowning also occurred near breakwaters, no measures taken Dipli Tragodia Oroklinis 1024x802 1 Relevant News Second Cyprus drowning also occurred near breakwaters, no measures taken 27 August 2026 Unions demand end to 12% penalty for forced early retirees 27 August 2026 Cyprus sets new timelines to solve waste management problems 27 August 2026 Natasa Christoforou 27 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A second drowning at a Larnaca beach also occurred near breakwaters, despite written warnings from local bodies after two 20-year-old women from Somalia died in the same waters off Oroklini in June. No measures were taken to warn swimmers that the sea near the breakwaters drops sharply and that sea currents exist there, even after Larnaca organisations submitted written representations calling for action. The revelation that the second drowning, at CTO beach during the mid-August holiday period, also happened near breakwaters has raised further questions and made the need for measures more urgent. The victim was a 35-year-old mother from Romania; her 12-year-old daughter remains in a fight for her life. There is no doubt the issue should be examined by the relevant state services. This concerns, in particular, the staffing and working hours of lifeguard towers. The two Somali women drowned on June 18 at a spot where a lifeguard tower exists but was not staffed this year, including after the incident, due to a lack of interest in the position. According to multiple accounts, two of which were presented by philenews, the women were swimming between the breakwaters when they were suddenly seen sinking. A few days after the double drowning, the Larnaca Tourism Development Company wrote to the Larnaca District Administration proposing a meeting with all relevant bodies to take action. The letter said experts had noted that the presence of breakwaters in the area causes the sea to deepen sharply and creates underwater currents, making swimming between them dangerous. “We consider it imperative to act immediately to strengthen safety on our beaches and prevent similar tragic incidents in the future, particularly in tourist areas where breakwaters exist and create unusual sea conditions,” the letter read. The company, citing experts’ recommendations, had also proposed installing permanent floating rescue equipment, such as life rings, at the breakwaters. In early August, the Larnaca municipality and the Public Works Department were informed in writing. In that letter, the municipality asked the Public Works Department to examine taking measures, citing the double drowning in the Oroklini coastal area, and said it fully shared the Tourism Development Company’s concerns and supported “the immediate advancement of the proposals that have been submitted.” However, no measures were taken, and on August 15 the second tragedy occurred close to the site of the first, again near breakwaters, according to accounts given to police by beachgoers. The 35-year-old mother and her two daughters, aged 12 and 14, entered the sea at CTO beach on the afternoon of August 15. Twenty minutes after the area’s lifeguard had finished their shift, the mother and her two daughters were seen struggling in the waves and were pulled ashore by beachgoers. The 35-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, while the two girls were taken to Makarios Hospital. The 14-year-old was discharged, but the 12-year-old remains in critical condition and continues to be treated on a ventilator. Asked by philenews whether the relevant services had decided to take measures following the earlier representations, Larnaca Mayor Andreas Vyras said no. He added that the municipality would take on the task of installing signage. “It was never clarified who is responsible for the sea area and the breakwaters,” he said. “Because of this gap, we as the municipality will take the initiative and install signs warning the public that the sea drops sharply near the breakwaters.” According to Vyras, the signs will be installed in the coming days in the Oroklini sea area. CTO beach itself, however, does not fall within the boundaries of the Larnaca municipality. Meanwhile, lifeguard hours are set to be reduced further from September, to 10 of the 19 lifeguard towers staffed this year in Larnaca district. According to the Larnaca District Administration, this happens every year as the contracts of those hired for three or four months, most of whom are students, come to an end. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Unions demand end to 12% penalty for forced early retirees Cyprus sets new timelines to solve waste management problems Elderly driver seriously hurt after car hits house wall in Paphos Justice ministry denies illegal phone use after inmate’s podcast interview The Iran war has exposed Europe’s fossil-fuel vulnerability Crosta Nostra: Southern Italy on a plate Binge it or skip it: Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen – A match made in hell Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.