Rising Number of Water Incidents in Northern Cyprus: Lifeguard Shortage on Beaches

As temperatures rise in Northern Cyprus, the sea and pool season has begun. In recent days, there have been three incidents at water sites: one person drowned, and two others were rescued.

According to the police, two people almost drowned in June in Northern Cyprus. Unfortunately, 25-year-old Shaban Eker drowned on June 23 while swimming at the public beach in Alagadi.

The "Cyprus Post" reports that precautionary measures have hardly been taken on some beaches in Northern Cyprus. The Beach Use and Control Law requires lifeguards to be on duty at swimming spots, but many beaches lack sufficient personnel.

The publication interviewed Kyrenia District Governor Cemal Özçeoğlu, İskele Governor Ertuğrul Toroslu, and Mehmet Ali Oanç on behalf of Famagusta Province about the situation on public beaches and the work of lifeguards.

According to the Kyrenia representative, there are no additional lifeguards at the public beach in Alagadi, where a young man recently drowned. He also noted a shortage of professional lifeguards in the pier area and at major hotels.

Cemal Özçeoğlu stated the need to prepare places where lifeguards can take shelter in 40-degree heat, adding that these places should meet certain standards and have lifeguard towers. Lifeguards should be on duty from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

İskele District Governor Ertuğrul Toroslu mentioned that while the region has no shortage of beaches, beach inspection and the appointment of lifeguards fall under the municipalities' jurisdiction. Lifeguards on İskele beaches, Mehmetçik-Büyükkonuk, and Eranqoy-Karpaz are under the control of the respective municipalities.

“Thanks to the presence of tourist facilities in our region, water sports activities are also conducted. After receiving approval from the relevant municipalities of the districts where these activities will take place, we check the facilities' equipment, staff health, work permits, and lifeguards' licenses,” said Ertuğrul Toroslu.

In turn, Mehmet Ali Oanç announced that for the first time this year, under the guidance of the Famagusta district governor, a new commission was created to enhance beach safety. The commission includes representatives from Famagusta, Tatlısu, and Yeniboğaziçi municipalities, as well as the coast guard command and the Famagusta Environmental Department.

This commission, which did not exist in previous years, has taken the initiative to inspect the beaches.

During beach inspections, the commission checks if lifeguards are on duty, if first aid equipment is available nearby, and if a flag system is used to indicate whether swimming areas are safe or not.

Mehmet Ali Oanç also stated that vehicles are prohibited from entering swimming areas. Moreover, swimming zones and water sports areas are separated by buoys.

Information signs indicate what the flags on lifeguard towers mean and the working hours of individuals trained in first aid.