Filenews 8 June 2023 - by Ioanna Mantzira
With a serious risk of drowning incidents in several coastal areas of Limassol, this summer season began. Ten lifeguard points remain idle as there are no qualified lifeguards to man them. The issue that arises is considered very serious if we take into account that thousands of foreigners live in the Limassol district who may not know how to swim and the seas of the city.
Speaking to "F", the head of the Limassol Lifeguard Unit, Petros Antoniou, pointed out that there is a huge problem as there are no qualified lifeguards to man the spots. He explained that 10 lifeguard towers will remain closed for the time being in sea areas that have been awarded blue flags for 2023. "The problem lies in the change of criteria made during last year by the Ministry of Interior and the Search and Rescue Coordination Center to upgrade the sector.
Lifeguards are now paid in the E7 range, but due to the changes made, more qualifications are required and as a result there is a shortage in the industry," he said. For now, the lifeguard towers that have not been staffed are in Governor's Beach, in the community of Pyrgos between two well-known hotels, Santa Barbara in Agios Tychonas, two new spots created last year, in Pissouri, Kourion and two spots in Lady's Mile.
On the part of the President of the Community of Pyrgos, Andreas Spyrou, in statements to "F", he expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that a lifeguard tower between two five-star hotels will remain closed, while the sea area has been awarded with a blue flag. He noted that due to this fact, the community will not proceed with the placement of the blue flag, since the beach will not be supervised by lifeguards.
"Human lives will be at risk and this is something that concerns us greatly," he said, noting that several foreigners live in the community of Pyrgos who started the first baths some time ago. He added that owners of five-star hotels are also complaining about the current situation as there are risks for their customers.
