Photo: Nina Lyashonok
Beaches in Odesa remain mined and closed for tourists and locals
Police conduct regular raids to the coast as local residents ignore the danger and swim in the mined sea
Sep 22, 2022
Despite the ban on visiting beaches, which came into force in early March, residents of Odesa often violate the restrictions.
The police have to make daily raids on the beaches and ask residents of Odessa to leave the danger zone.
In regular appeals to citizens, the local law enforcement announce that the Odesa coast is a line of defense and is mined. Also, the mines left in the sea by the Russian marine forces can be brought to the shore by the current.
The speaker of the patrol police in the Odesa region, Alla Marchenko, said that a large number of people visit the beaches, and some come with their children.
“People continue to endanger themselves by coming to the beaches to swim. Some of them bring their children. The police conduct explanatory conversations with the beachgoers and persuade them to leave,” said Alla Marchenko.
Beach visitor Viktor Bondarev believes that restrictions are ignored because of a lack of safety fences and warning signs.
“If there are mines in the water, then you need to install some kind of barriers for them, so that the swimming area is fenced off,” he said.
The police also said that resting by the sea is officially allowed only on wooden decks on Lanzheron beach. Fishing from the piers, one of the favourite summer entertainments of Odesa residents, was also banned.
Two people, aged 53 and 22, died after encountering sea mines while swimming, said local media.