A 48-YEAR-OLD Russian tourist yesterday drowned in the Paphos district when she went for an early morning swim, police said.

The woman, whose name has not yet been released pending her family’s notification, entered the water in an area closed to swimmers between Chlorakas and Kissonerga.

Paphos police said the victim, who had been holidaying alone in Cyprus for a few days, apparently ignored warning signs against swimming.

“There is a red flag there and signposts because we had a drowning there in the past. It seems there are strong currents there and it’s dangerous. She never should have gone in,” he said.

The officer said the 48-year-old had gone for a swim at around 6am with a male companion.

“At some point her friend called for help and a fisherman came to their aid. Together the two men managed to lift her out of the water but she had already died, despite efforts to resuscitate her,” he said.

The Russian woman was transferred to Paphos general hospital where duty doctors pronounced her death.

Her exact cause of death will be determined following an autopsy, police said.

Also yesterday the body of 70-year-old Greek Cypriot Carolos Orphanos was found off Kyrenia’s coast. Authorities in the north recovered Orphanos’ body at around 12.30pm approximately 50 metres off the coast of Vavylas village in Kyrenia. The circumstances around Orphanos’ death are being investigated.

Orphanos’ relative, the Consumers Association’s Petros Marcou said that Orphanos was spending a few days in Karpasia – where his wife is from.  Orpanos went for a swim with his Turkish Cypriot friend on Vavylas beach and was lost at sea. Authorities in the north were notified and started searching for him.  Orphanos’ children are currently in the north in order to retrieve the body.

source; Cyprus mail