Russian woman drowns in Paphos

A Russian woman died following a drowning incident in Paphos on Tuesday, near a local beach that was recently declared safe with reports saying she was swimming outisde the designated area.

According to local media, a 60-year-old Russian tourist was swimming in the water near a beach by Venus Beach Hotel on Tuesday morning, when suddenly she was seen desperately trying to remain above the water surface. Media sources speculated the woman had been swimming outside a designated safe area but this was not independently verified.

Fellow beachgoers started calling for help until a lifeguard rushed to her and pulled her out of the water. But resuscitation efforts were not successful and an ambulance rushed the woman to the Emergency Room at Paphos General Hospital, where doctors on duty pronounced her dead on arrival.

The woman had just arrived on the island with her daughter a few days ago, according to local media. 

The beach, which was known for a number of years as “dangerous” due to strong rip currents, was recently declared safe by local authorities. It was previously used unofficially by local and foreign swimmers, while a number of deaths and drowning incidents prompted authorities to post warning signs.

But a new contract with the city last month allowed the local hotel to market the beach to guests, after breakwaters were installed as well as beach beds and umbrellas.

An autopsy later is expeted to show the exact cause of death.

The story has been updated with information about swimming outside a designated area