In Cyprus, tourists, homeless people, and the elderly are the most common drowning victims

The government of the Republic of Cyprus has developed an action plan to enhance sea safety. According to statistics, half of the drowning incidents involve tourists and individuals without permanent residency.

Over the past 20 years, 464 people have drowned in Cyprus. On average, over the last five years, 26 people annually have lost their lives at sea.

Significantly, around half of all drowning victims in the country are tourists and non-permanent residents. Similarly, approximately 50% are individuals over the age of 65.

Furthermore, drowning ranks as the third leading cause of death among children under ten and remains one of the top five causes of death for individuals under 30.

Deputy Secretary to the President, Irene Piki, presented an action plan aimed at enhancing sea safety and preventing drowning incidents. The plan was developed in collaboration with the NGO Safe Water Sports.

The initiative includes establishing an observatory to monitor maritime accidents and integrating the island into the Safe Water Sports website. This platform will inform the public about safe beaches for water sports, lifeguard coverage, accessibility for people with disabilities, and nearby facilities including hospitals.

Additionally, programs will be organized to enhance swimming skills for children under 12, along with an educational program on water safety. These two programs are already being piloted by the Ministry of Education.