A Russian tourist drowned in stormy seas in the Pernera area of Paralimni on Sunday, despite the best efforts by the coast guard to rescue him.
Ο Ildar Giatulov 52, and two other Russians went swimming around 3.30 in the afternoon. The sea was very rough and winds were very strong. At one point, his two friends lost contact with him and he may have hit on the rocks and lost consciousness. The two other Russians managed to make it to shore and alerted the coast guard which sent a boat that almost overturned in the rough seas. A helicopter was brought in and a diver managed to retrieve the victim. His body was taken to hospital for a post mortem. Police are investigating. A member of the coast guard was slightly injured during the rescue operation.