Limassol beachgoers report sludge, waste and foul smell in sea

Limassol, Cyprus. Beachgoers have reported sludge, waste, murky water and a foul smell in areas of Limassol’s coastline over recent days, prompting calls for an immediate investigation.

The Ecologists Movement’s Limassol district chairman, Andreas Mavrikios, criticised authorities over the situation and called for warnings to be issued to swimmers.

Reports from affected beaches

Affected areas included Armonia beach in Ayios Tychonas, where a white substance was reported covering the sea.

On August 15, people were reported to have been swimming among nappies, sanitary pads, waste materials and possible sewage or effluent.

Over recent days, further reports described brown sludge, froth, murky water and a putrid smell.

Beachgoers have uploaded photographs and videos to social media while calling for an immediate investigation.

Call for action

In a social media post, Mavrikios said the situation was ongoing and that authorities were “nowhere to be found”.

“Enough with the fairytale about blue flags and sustainable cities. If you can’t even keep the sea our children swim in clean, what exactly can you do?” he said.

He said authorities were “just for show” and “become invisible when there are responsibilities to be undertaken”.

“One is passing it on to the other. Sala to the municipality, the municipality to the state, the state to the ships and the sea is full of SHIT. If this is your administration, then QUIT,” he said.

Mavrikios said authorities should put up signs warning that it was dangerous to swim. He said he would upload a photograph each day until “you cannot circulate in the city”.