Drownings on the rise in Cyprus waters

Another two people drowned in Cyprus seas on Wednesday, taking the number of deaths to three in as many days.

Around 6 pm on Wednesday, a 25-year-old Afghan man was pulled unconscious from the sea in Protaras after going for a swim.

According to police, the young man was found floating in the sea and was pulled ashore, where attempts were made to resuscitate him to no avail.

He was transported by ambulance to Famagusta General Hospital, where the doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

The man was identified as an asylum seeker from Afghanistan. The exact cause of the man’s death was to be determined via autopsy on Thursday.

Later the same day, at 7.30 pm, Cypriot woman Georgia Ponyrou, 70, was found dead in the waters off Lady’s Mile in the British Bases of Akrotiri.

“We can confirm that a female was found unconscious at Lady’s Mile Beach, near Oasis restaurant,” British Bases police said.

“Bathers at the scene removed her from the water before the police arrived. She was taken to Limassol’s General Hospital by ambulance.

The British Bases Police are investigating the case.

On Monday, a 42-year-old British man was found dead in Phinikoudes, Larnaca, after heading into the sea for snorkelling.

His family lost sight of him, and he was found unconscious in the water.

Last week a ten-year-old Russian girl was found floating dead in the swimming pool of a mansion she had been staying with her family at a Paphos villa.

Earlier in the month, a 29-year-old man was found dead off the beach at tourist landmark Aphrodite’s Rock, Paphos.

Meanwhile, 25 July marked World Drowning Prevention Day.

According to the World Health Organisation, at least 20,000 people die due to drowning every year in Europe, while worldwide, at least 236,000 people drown in pools or the sea.

WHO reports that drowning is still the second leading cause of death for children aged 5-14.

Police do not keep updated records of drowning incidents.