From the afternoon of June 18, when the seemingly calm waters of the sea area of Oroklini became the grave of two 20-year-old girls from Somalia, two very serious issues came to the surface, which should immediately concern the authorities. The first is the much-discussed issue of staffing lifeguard towers and their working hours, which, in a tourist country, should not even exist. The second is the existence of currents combined with a sharp deepening of the sea between the breakwaters, according to experts which is unknown to the general public, which should have been warned.
It is noted that recently the breakwaters of this area were indicated by some experts, as one of the main causes of erosion, which destroyed part of the pedestrian street, while it began to suck up hotel spaces. Among the scientists who have been shouting for many years to stop the installation of breakwaters is the coastal engineer, Dr. Xenia Loizidou, who explained to "F" the phenomenon that is created between them.
"Between the breakwaters, the heads as we call them, secondary ripples are created. We have waves at both ends and waves coming from the sea. If the conditions are such, shocks of waves can be created, which cause the phenomenon of reverse bottom currents. When people are walking and the sea is shallow, as in the Larnaca area, they suddenly fall into the abyss because there is a "step". This can be as deep as three meters. When some people fall on this step they panic and fall down, where there are the reverse bottom currents.
These girls also wore clothes because they were Muslims, so it was more difficult for them to try. The surface of the sea may be quiet, but these currents grab you by the feet and pull you towards the sea at enormous speed. This is a phenomenon that comes along with the construction of breakwaters," he noted, saying that the areas to be built should be selected and specific parameters should be considered, such as the distance between them, or the distance from the coast.
"This must be done so that abrupt shallows and deepening do not occur," he added, indicating that in addition to erosion, breakwaters create coasts full of coliform bacteria and microplastics. "We can't talk about breakwater killers now. Breakwaters are structures and need to be sparing. Even though we recognize all these problems are still being manufactured. We don't learn from our mistakes."
Dr. Loizidou said that similar incidents between breakwaters were recorded in Paphos. "Many years ago in Paphos they tied me up from the shore and I got between the breakwaters and they couldn't get me out, the currents were so strong. Even if there is a lifeguard, it is very likely that the one who is in danger will drown, if he does not have a boat. There is a strange law that says that lifeguards are not allowed to own jet skis. How will they go to save people at a time when the currents are so big and strong?", he wondered and stressed that the breakwaters that have a problem must be identified.
Asked to say why no measures have been taken years ago to keep swimmers informed, she replied that she has mentioned in dozens of articles. "I've been shouting for years. When the breakwaters on the west coast of Paphos were to be built, I said that with them we give an illusion of safety. It is an illusion of safety and traps especially for people who do not know how to swim well and they are the ones who go to the breakwaters. People who know the sea avoid swimming in these places. When we say it, however, no one takes us into account. When scientists warn don't close your ears if it's something you don't want to hear or it's not in your interest, or at that moment, for political reasons, you have other priorities, because it will come to find us. The sea is taking revenge," he underlined.
"We had no complaints about currents"
"F" asked for the position of the Department of Public Works, given that the breakwater projects fall within its responsibilities. The deputy director of the department, Stelios Zervos, stated that no complaints were made about dangerous currents in the area of Oroklini. "Part of the study we are doing (on breakwaters) is to ask the researchers to assure us that the return wave will not cause a problem for bathers. Depending on each case, planning is done and it is something that is taken into account," he noted.
Asked to state whether the study at the time had ruled that there was no danger to the bathers in Oroklini, he replied in the affirmative. "In this particular case, the question that arises is whether users or lifeguards feel that there is so much wave and current, which is so dangerous that swimming should be banned. Some time ago some people said that the breakwaters were inserted and that this particular sea is shallow. One contradicts the other. The manager is the Municipality of Larnaca and there are lifeguards in the area. Breakwaters have been in place for 26 years.
We as a Department do not have a complaint that says that there are currents that kill," he noted, adding that a complaint was made years ago that the sea is deepening abruptly in between the breakwaters. "We checked that complaint and made measurements at the time that showed that this 'pit' was at 1,5 meters, which was not a deterrent," he added, noting that if the local authority believes that there is a danger, it must install signs, as was done in areas of Paphos. Concluding, he noted that "if they call us, we will help. All the competent services should be called, so that the right measures can be taken."
Proposal for the installation of permanent floating life-saving equipment
The drowning of the two women, so far at least, mobilized only the Larnaca Tourism Development Company (ETAP), which asked the Larnaca District Administration, which is the competent authority for lifeguards, to convene an emergency meeting with all competent bodies. Citing experts, ETAP Larnaca stated in the letter to the prefect that measures must be taken immediately in the area, since due to the existence of breakwaters, the sea deepens sharply, while underground currents are also created. "We consider it imperative to act immediately to strengthen safety on our beaches and prevent similar tragic incidents in the future, especially in tourist areas where there are breakwaters and special sea conditions are formed," the letter notes and states that experts have suggested the installation of permanent floating rescue equipment (lifebuoy rings) in the breakwaters.
It is recalled that the two girls went with their friends to the sea and drowned in a place between the breakwaters. On this beach, despite the fact that there is a lifeguard tower, it was not possible to staff it this year, due to lack of staff, according to the Larnaca District Administration. Even if the tower was staffed, however, there would still be no lifeguard, since, according to the terms of their contract, they work till 5 p.m.
