Drowning in Larnaca sparks debate over lifeguard shortages and working hours

A 35-year-old woman drowned at the CTO beach in Larnaca on the evening of August 15, shortly after lifeguards had finished their shift at 6:00 p.m. This incident has reignited a heated public debate regarding the adequacy of lifeguard coverage across Cyprus’s organized beaches. Polys Pallikaros, president of the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation, labeled the 6:00 p.m. closure of towers as 'criminal,' arguing that coverage should extend from sunrise to sunset during peak tourist months.

Operational data reveals a critical systemic shortfall. In Larnaca, only 10 of 19 lifeguard towers are currently staffed. Similarly, in Paphos, 8 of 33 towers remain closed, and 7 towers in the Famagusta region are unstaffed due to low visitor numbers. While authorities claim there are sufficient approved positions and funding, they face a severe lack of qualified applicants. Officials attribute this to the short-term, seasonal nature of the employment and interpersonal disputes between training organizations and the federation.

The Ministry of Interior has announced plans to revise the certification system by next year to address these staffing gaps. The government currently operates under the 'Salamis Plan,' which prioritizes coverage based on beach popularity and risk, though critics argue that human safety should not be compromised by cost or arbitrary end times.