Cyprus faces lifeguard shortage following tragic drowning incident

A 35-year-old woman drowned at the CTO beach in Larnaca on Saturday evening, occurring shortly after lifeguard duty ended at 6:00 p.m. This incident has reignited concerns regarding the standardized operating hours of lifeguard services on organized beaches, which currently operate under the 2018 'Salamis Plan'. While officials claim that coverage focuses on peak hours and high-risk areas, the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation (KON) argues that beaches should be covered from sunrise to sunset during the summer months, labeling the current schedule as inadequate.

Authorities, including Interior Ministry officials, report that the primary issue is not a lack of funding or approved positions, but a severe shortage of certified personnel. Currently, only 10 of the 19 lifeguard towers in Larnaca are staffed, and in the Famagusta region, seven towers remain unstaffed despite having 86 active lifeguards. Local officials attribute this staffing crisis to the short-term nature of seasonal contracts and interpersonal disputes between training clubs and the federation. To address these operational frictions, the Ministry of Interior has announced plans to revise the lifeguard certification system starting next year, aiming to improve recruitment and clarify industry standards for safety coverage.