Lifeguard Shortage on Cyprus Beaches: 91 Towers Covered

Authorities in Cyprus are facing difficulties in finding lifeguards to staff the beaches, resulting in understaffing, particularly in the Limassol and Paphos regions. Despite the availability of funds and open positions, interest is limited.

According to responses from the Minister of Interior, Konstantinos Ioannou, to questions from DISY MP, Nikos Georgiou, there have been 471 incidents requiring lifeguard intervention in the last five years, with 48 resulting in fatalities.

Regarding the number of lifeguard towers, 91 are staffed island-wide, distributed as follows:

• Paphos District: 30
• Famagusta District: 31
• Limassol District: 17
• Larnaca District: 8
• Nicosia District: 5

The total number of permanent lifeguards is 107, while 270 seasonal hourly lifeguard positions have been approved for 2025.

Additionally, the Ministry of Interior is examining the issue of spa services from street vendors on beaches, as a gap in the law has been identified.