AUTHORITIES yesterday announced a string of measures to promote safe swimming in Paphos in the wake of the drowning tragedy at the weekend.
New signs, stating the hazards of swimming in dangerous conditions will be placed close to the seashore, and the warning will be depicted in four languages.
In addition, life belts and red flags will be placed at known danger spots. Ropes will also be placed in the sea, to aid troubled swimmers.
Members of the local council also suggested placing warning buoys in the sea to alert swimmers to dangerous waters. No decision was made on this matter, and it will be discussed at a later date.
The measures were announced yesterday by Paphos police chief Costas Soteriou after representatives of the police, municipality, government departments and the CTO, met at Paphos police station, to discuss what steps could be taken to prevent more deaths or accidents in rough seas.
The dangers were highlighted after 32-year-old Pantelis Stylianou drowned while swimming in rough seas in front of the Venus Beach Hotel in Paphos on Sunday.
He and a fellow swimmer, a 57-year-old Austrian holidaying in Paphos, got into difficulty in the breaking waves. People on the beach managed to throw the Austrian a lifebelt, which he was able to cling to, but they were unable to reach Stylianou, who was from Choletria in Paphos, and the father of a six-year-old daughter. His body was washed up two hours later.
Despite requests by the Venus Beach Hotel for a lifeguard, they say they have yet to receive a response from the authorities.
Lifeguards are only positioned at beaches deemed suitable for swimming, according to the Paphos district office. Beaches and their waters must meet certain criteria to be eligible for a lifeguard.
Paphos, like other coastal towns across the world, has some beaches which are dangerous for swimmers. This may be due to huge waves, a rip tide or other hazardous conditions.
Five years ago, Scottish holidaymakers Peter and Alison Rainey drowned close to where Stylianou lost his life on Sunday.
Response to the announcement was mixed.
“I am pleased that finally something will be done to protect swimmers in Paphos,” said local resident Anna Petrov.
“But I don’t think it will help at the beach where this man drowned. I have been there before, and it already has a huge warning sign telling swimmers to stay out of the sea when it’s rough. There is also a red flag and a lifebelt. It’s awful he lost his life. But people must be responsible for themselves. If something is dangerous, you shouldn’t do it.”
“I can’t see that these measures are adequate,” said 34-year-old holidaymaker, Natasha Wilmot. “In places where people go into the water, there must be a lifeguard. Or they should put up an enormous sign, banning people from entering the sea in certain dangerous areas. These are the only two ways to ensure the safety of the locals and tourists.”
A newly formed committee will be responsible for overseeing where and how the new safety measures will be implemented.
