Newsroom
The man who died Thursday in the Cape Greco area, while trying to rescue his 18-year-old nephew, was identified as 49-year-old Μohhamad Alabed Alkarim.
Alkarim, who was of Syrian origin, was a permanent resident in Nicosia and had gone with his nephew to Cape Greco on Thursday.
According to police, the 18-year-old had gone in for a swim and at one moment he started calling for help, possibly out of fear of drowning due to rough seas or a momentary rip current.
The 49-year-old man immediately went in the water to save his nephew
The 49-year-old man immediately went in the water to save his nephew, according to reports.
Knews understands first responders from the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) received an emergency call around 1:45pm.
In the meantime, the coast guard had already been dispatched to the scene, arriving at 2:02pm and managing to bring both men to shore, at Konnos Bay, where first responders also arrived moments later.
According to local reports, the uncle passed away before getting medical treatment, but it was not immediately clear whether the man died before or after rescuers actually got to him in the water.
The 18-year-old man was taken to the Famagusta General Hospital for medical treatment where he told police his version of events, confirming the incident.
Police have ruled out foul play.
