Three-year-old child on an inflatable mattress swept out to sea off Limassol

A three-year-old child on an inflatable mattress was swept out to sea near Ladies Mile beach in Limassol. Four adults who rushed to help the child also found themselves in danger and were rescued by lifeguards.

The incident occurred on Monday at around 17:50. According to preliminary information, the child was at the beach with his father but was left unsupervised at some point. Strong winds began carrying the inflatable mattress away from the shore.

The child's father and three friends entered the sea and tried to reach the child. However, the adults became exhausted and began calling for help.

Lifeguards from the LEM-17 unit at Ladies Mile promptly arrived at the scene. They reached the child, put a life jacket on him and brought him back to shore on a jet ski. The four adults were also safely returned to the shore.

The Lifeguard Service said this was already the 17th similar incident its staff had had to respond to this season.

The operation took place just ten minutes before the end of the lifeguards' shift, which ends daily at 18:00.

Lifeguards urged parents to keep a constant eye on young children at the beach, especially in strong winds. Even a momentary lapse in attention can result in an inflatable device carrying a child out to sea.