Moments of anxiety unfolded on Monday afternoon, August 24, in the sea area of Lady’s Mile, between Oceania and Columbia, when a three-year-old child who could not swim was swept towards the open sea on an inflatable.
According to a post by the Limassol Lifeguard Unit, the incident happened at around 5.50pm when the child moved away from his father’s supervision. Strong winds in the area carried the inflatable towards the open sea, leaving the child alone on board.
When the father realised what had happened, he and three friends entered the water and attempted to reach the child. However, they became exhausted during the effort and began calling for help.
Lifeguards respond immediately
The Limassol Lifeguard Unit, LEM 17 – Lady’s Mile, was mobilised immediately. Lifeguards reached the three-year-old, who was visibly panicked, managed to calm him and safely lifted him from the inflatable.
They then put a life jacket on the child and carefully transported him back to shore on a jet ski. The four adults were also safely brought back to the shore.
Thanks to the lifeguards’ immediate and coordinated response, the incident ended safely and the child was reunited with his family.
17th similar incident this season
According to the Limassol Lifeguard Unit, this was the 17th similar incident requiring the intervention of lifeguards from LEM 17 during the current season.
The rescue operation also took place just 10 minutes before the end of the lifeguards’ shift at 6pm. The lifeguards remained fully prepared and successfully completed the operation.
The Limassol Lifeguard Unit urged all parents and accompanying adults to maintain constant and uninterrupted supervision of young children, particularly when strong winds are present.
As the lifeguards stressed, a moment of inattention can be enough for an inflatable to be swept out to sea, putting a child’s life at serious risk.
Also read: Tragedy in Limassol: 21-year-old dies after diving from pier
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