Nearly half of Limassol district's 24 lifeguard stations are currently unmanned, putting beachgoers at risk during the peak summer season, the head of the Limassol lifeguard unit, Sakis Nikolaou, has told KYPE. Only 13 stations are operational, staffed by 43 active lifeguards, while two further stations remain inactive due to the absence of lifeguard towers.
The warning came as lifeguards joined a 24-hour strike by hourly-paid government staff on Wednesday, with Nikolaou using the occasion to highlight the severity of the understaffing crisis and its link to pay conditions.
Beaches left unprotected
The scale of the problem is illustrated by conditions at Lady's Mile, a popular five-kilometre stretch of coastline served by just a single lifeguard tower. The beach at Pentakomo (Akti Kyverniti) has no lifeguard coverage at all.
"This understaffing is unacceptable and puts the lives of beachgoers at risk," Nikolaou said, adding that lifeguards are asking for nothing more than what they are entitled to.
What lifeguards are demanding
The unit is calling for the hiring of additional permanent lifeguards to cover all active stations, the creation of 10-month employment positions in Limassol to attract more candidates, an increase in 12-month posts to ensure year-round coverage, pay rises for 2025 to 2027, and improvements to benefits including allowances, insurance cover and working conditions. Lifeguards are also seeking formal recognition of their contribution through meaningful state support.
"Limassol is the heart of tourism and safety at sea is not a luxury but a necessity," Nikolaou said.
District administration response
Assistant District Officer of Limassol, Nikolas Tsioullos, acknowledged the understaffing problem is widespread, saying the district administration is continuously issuing calls for applicants. He confirmed that the district should have 74 lifeguards but currently has only 11 permanent staff, with 26 vacancies remaining, comprising eight seven-month posts, 14 three-month posts and four four-month posts.
Tsioullos expressed hope that a second lifeguard tower at Lady's Mile would be operational by early July, and noted that due to the exceptional circumstances, and with ministerial approval, applications are being accepted from candidates holding three lifeguarding medals rather than the standard requirement of four.
Interested applicants can contact the district administration on 25806418 or visit the district administration website. Tsioullos added that questions of professional recognition and pay fall outside the district administration's remit.
