Swimmers Number 93 and 12 Cyclists Rescued as Enhanced Monitoring Underway

The Armenian Police and the Rescue Service carried out enhanced operations on July 16, during the Vardavar celebrations, at three public beaches of Lake Sevan. Lifeguards conducted 28 rounds of patrols. On the southern shore of the peninsula, 93 swimmers and 12 cyclists were accounted for.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia reported that due to the Vardavar festive events, the services under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, including the police and rescue team, have moved to heightened operational status. By 3:00 PM, the Police Operational Management Center received reports of one crime, eight incidents, and four traffic accidents related to the festivities. The police have taken necessary measures in response to all reported alerts.

During this same time period, lifeguards at the three public beaches of Sevan conducted 28 patrols. On the southern shore, 93 swimmers and 12 cyclists were noted to have passed the safety buoys. Staff from the Rescue Forces Control Center also conducted six rounds of patrols. Lifeguards identified 60 citizens who had passed the safety markers, along with four inflatable boats and one water bicycle. Through awareness-raising efforts, the rescuers returned citizens and boats safely to the designated areas.

At the Shoghakat beach, firefighters from Chambarak retrieved two vehicles trapped in the sand. A call was received reporting a rubber boat and a floating person near the ‘Drax’ recreational zone. Lifeguards from the Control Center responded to the scene, where they found a citizen about 30 meters offshore at the ‘rock’ beach of the recreational zone. Unfortunately, they pronounced the individual, identified as L. Gh. (born 1939), deceased.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs urges the public to observe safety regulations, stay vigilant, follow lifeguards’ instructions in water areas, comply with fire safety rules in forested and vegetated regions, refrain from driving under the influence, and maintain community standards.