AFP / Oleksandr Gimanov
Several seashores in Ukraine’s Black Sea metropolis of Odessa have formally opened for swimming for the primary time for the reason that begin of the Russian invasion; nevertheless, bathing is banned throughout air raid alerts,
Local officers stated on Saturday.
Odessa, Ukraine’s largest port and naval base, was repeatedly attacked with missiles and drones, and the ocean was plagued by lots of of sea mines following the invasion in February final yr.
The coast was closed for the protection of residents and after incidents of mines exploding on seashores.
The choice to open the seashores was made collectively by the town’s civilian and army administrations, Odessa Governor Oleh Kiper stated on the Telegram messaging app.
He stated the seashores could be open from 8 a.m. to eight p.m.
Oleksandr, a lifeguard and a former diver who gave solely his first identify, stated that an anti-mine web was positioned in between two piers to stop swimmers from encountering shallow-water mines.
“The net will stop them. And they (mines) will also be visible from the shore under such weather conditions. Emergency workers will be notified, they will come to handle it,” he stated.
The opening of the seashores has been a welcome respite from the conflict for individuals swimming and sunbathing.
“I have been dreaming of going to the beach and inhaling salty air. We have been missing it a lot. But safety is a top priority,” stated Svitlana, a resident of the Odessa area.
