Two women drown off the coast of Oroklini

On the evening of Thursday, June 18, two 20-year-old women from Somalia drowned while swimming off the coast of Oroklini, Cyprus. A group of five friends entered the water near a beach in front of a hotel, and two of them were caught in strong currents between breakwaters where the depth reaches three meters. Eyewitnesses and a father on an inflatable boat attempted to rescue the women, managing to save a third woman who was in distress. The Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC) activated the Nearchos national search and rescue plan at 19:30, deploying a helicopter, coast guard vessels, and rescue teams, but the two women were found unconscious and later declared dead at Larnaca General Hospital. Reports indicate that the lifeguard tower in the area was unstaffed at the time, as lifeguards had already finished their shift for the day. Local officials and witnesses have raised concerns regarding the lack of lifeguard coverage and the risks posed by the current placement of breakwaters in the area. Authorities are currently investigating the exact circumstances of the incident, including whether the victims were aware of the dangerous sea currents.