BEACH SAFETY IN FOCUS/ Metaj: Without signage and lifeguards, the risk to vacationers increases

The drowning incidents recorded in the country, including cases involving child victims, have brought the need for greater beach safety back into focus. Specialists are calling for stronger protective measures and expressing concern that many public beaches still lack lifeguards and the necessary signage.

With the start of the tourist season, Albania’s coastline has welcomed a large number of vacationers, but at the same time fatal drowning cases have also been reported.

Eni Metaj, secretary-general of the Albanian Federation of Beach Lifeguards and Water Rescue, stresses that the presence of lifeguards on the beach is essential to avoid serious incidents.

According to her, the situation in the private sector appears better, although ensuring the uninterrupted presence of lifeguards at their posts throughout the season remains a problem.

More problematic, according to Metaj, remains the situation on public beaches, where, according to Federation data, in many cases not only are lifeguards missing, but so too are the necessary signage and rescue equipment.

Metaj is calling on municipalities and the institutions that manage public beaches to intervene immediately to guarantee the safety of vacationers.

She is also urging citizens to visit beaches where lifeguard services are provided, follow the signage, and avoid unsupervised areas so that tragedies can be prevented during the summer season.