Lebanese families head to the country’s beaches during the summer, including the family of Abu Samer, whose father enjoys diving and swimming in the waters of Tyre. “I always make sure to be cautious when practicing my hobby, especially at Al-Jamal Beach—the rocky beach in Tyre—where there are no signs or lifeguard stations,” says Abu Samer.
Other families choose the sandy beach, where it is sometimes observed that children are left on the shore or a few meters away, as parents assume swimming near the beach is safe—particularly when it’s sandy. Yet, in recent weeks, even before May 15 (the official start of the beach season), drowning incidents have been reported. This raises a pressing question: is the increase in such cases due to a lack of required safety measures on the beach, or to the natural characteristics of the shoreline?
The Nature of Tyre Beach
Tyre Beach is considered one of the cleanest in Lebanon. It is divided into a sandy section, which attracts large crowds, and a rocky section, generally frequented by divers. The rocky part is known for its depth and marine diversity, including various fish species and sea turtles, which make it a magnet for underwater explorers.
As for the dangers surrounding both the rocky and sandy beaches, Silat Wassel spoke with Ali Safi al-Din, head of the Civil Defense Center in Tyre, who pointed out that many people are unaware that the risks at the sandy beach are actually greater than those at the rocky beach.
“We go down to the beach, talk to people, and raise their awareness,” says Safi al-Din. “The presence of pits in the sandy shore, combined with rough seas, poses a danger. We advise people not to swim—even just meters from the shore—because if a current occurs, it can pull them away even from that short distance. Despite our awareness campaigns, some people simply do not listen to our guidance, and this is one of the challenges we face in our work.” He adds, “One of the things people should know is that they must never try to resist a current if caught in one.”
Abu Samer also notes, "I always make sure to be cautious when practicing my diving hobby, especially at Al-Jamal Beach—the rocky shore in Tyre—where there are no signs or lifeguard stations."
Public Safety on Tyre Beach
Safi al-Din believes that public safety on Tyre’s beaches is ensured through both Civil Defense and the municipality. “We have rescue teams, clear safety guidelines, and our centers are open 24/7 via our emergency number, 125. We respond to any incident that requires our intervention. We also have reinforcement plans, existing Civil Defense infrastructure, and a dedicated marine rescue unit operating both at sea and on the shore. All of this is carried out in full and constant coordination with the Tyre Municipality,” he says.
Deputy Mayor of Tyre, Salah Sabrawi, notes that since 2010, the municipality has paid great attention to this issue. “The beach is important for generating good income for the municipality and creating seasonal jobs for young people during the summer. We make sure safety standards are met. Next week, the beach will be ready—we’ll start setting up the tents, and our youth will be ready for their tasks. Most importantly, we have 20–22 trained lifeguards, all swimmers and athletes,” he explains.
Sabrawi adds, “We’ve given Civil Defense and the Red Cross a permanent base on the beach, and we have an emergency lane for ambulances to quickly transport any injured or drowning victims to the hospital. There are also watchtowers to monitor swimmers, and we use a flag system: green flags mean it’s safe to swim; yellow or orange flags allow swimming but not for unaccompanied children; and red flags mean the sea is high and dangerous. In such cases, our patrols make sure no one enters the water.”
Recent Drowning Incidents
According to records from the Tyre Civil Defense Center, in 2023 there was one recorded drowning fatality, occurring before the official season began on May 15, along with numerous successful rescue operations.
Municipal data from Tyre, however, indicate that in 2024 there have already been three fatalities prior to May 15—the start of the summer season, which typically lasts until the end of September each year.
According to information obtained by Sila Wasl from the Lebanese Red Cross, between 2022 and 2023 incidents ranged from cases requiring hospital transport to others treated immediately on the beach. This indicates that there are safety risks that must be considered before visiting the shore.
Deputy Mayor of Tyre again stressed that, especially after the recent drowning incidents, the municipality has been sending patrols to prevent people from entering the water. However, he noted that this preventive measure cannot match the effectiveness of the full safety setup at the start of the official season, when trained lifeguards take up their duties on the beach—helping to prevent fatalities like those that occurred before May 15, 2024.
Developments Necessitating Swift Awareness
Regarding the presence of large numbers of displaced people in Tyre, many of them are living very close to the sea—something that makes raising awareness about its dangers essential. The head of the Tyre Civil Defense Center, Ali Safi al-Din, mentioned a recent conversation he had two days ago with Tyre Disaster Management official Mortada Mhanna. They are coordinating to launch an awareness campaign targeting displaced people housed in schools located extremely close to the shore, with no other access point. He added: “Coordination with the Disaster Management Unit is crucial because it includes local associations and the Lebanese Red Cross.”
The availability of safety measures alone is not enough unless citizens themselves are fully aware—responsibly—that visiting the sea carries many risks they should know about beforehand. Authorities and responsible entities must also provide protection at all times, even before the official swimming season starts. This ensures the presence of lifeguards and supervisors who can assist in cases of drowning or in dealing with other potential hazards such as jellyfish or similar threats.
