Lifeguards in Limassol rescued a 25-year-old man from Nepal after he got into difficulty at sea and nearly drowned along with his wife on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred at around 5.30pm on 15 August in the LEM 0 lifeguard area, opposite Limassol Zoo.
According to the Limassol Lifeguard Unit, the man attempted to swim back to shore from the rocks despite being a weak swimmer with limited strength.
During the attempt, he began to sink and, in a state of panic, grabbed hold of his wife, who was nearby, putting both of them at risk.
Lifeguards supervising the area had already identified the 25-year-old as a weak swimmer in a potentially dangerous location and immediately responded using a rescue board.
Several members of the public who were around 20 metres away also rushed to assist.
Lifeguards safely pulled the man onto the rescue board, while the nearby LEM 15 lifeguard station, which is equipped with a jet ski, was also alerted.
The Lifeguard Unit said the swift intervention of both lifeguards and capable swimmers among the public prevented the incident from potentially resulting in multiple casualties.
Once ashore, the 25-year-old was examined by lifeguards and given first aid. He did not require further medical treatment and an ambulance transfer was deemed unnecessary.
Following the incident, the Limassol Lifeguard Unit urged members of the public not to swim in difficult or rocky areas unless they are confident swimmers and warned people not to overestimate their abilities, particularly in strong currents or windy conditions.
It also advised anyone who gets into difficulty in the water to remain calm and call for help rather than grabbing another person, which could put both lives at risk.
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