Nicosia, Cyprus. Thirty-three people died from drowning in Cyprus during 2025, the health ministry said on Friday, as authorities marked World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25. The government said prevention measures remain necessary.
2025 figures
Men accounted for 73 per cent of drowning victims, while 61 per cent were foreign nationals. Fifteen of those who died were aged over 70.
Safe Water Sports marketing and public relations manager Eliza Karabetian said 36 per cent of incidents occurred between 8pm and 8am.
Famagusta recorded the highest number of deaths, with 10, followed by Limassol with nine, Larnaca with six, Paphos with two and Nicosia with one.
Long-term data
Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki said Cyprus recorded 533 drowning deaths over the past 21 years, with an average of 29 deaths annually over the last decade.
She said around half of those who died were aged 65 and over, while drowning remained among the main causes of death among children and teenagers.
Piki said 51 per cent of incidents involved tourists and non-permanent residents, while 68 per cent of victims were men.
Prevention plan
Karabetian said drowning remained a serious global health issue, with around 300,000 deaths recorded worldwide each year, including 75,000 children under five.
The government’s national action plan, approved in 2024, includes prevention programmes, education initiatives and legislative changes.