Greek rescuer Sofia Kapsiri honored for saving seven lives at Kefalonia
On 3 July 2026 lifeguard Sofia Kapsiri, originally from Patras, rescued seven beachgoers, among them two children, from strong waves and dangerous currents at Abythos beach on the island of Kefalonia. She remained on the scene for about two and a half hours, conducting continuous rescue operations and bringing the victims safely to shore.
At a ceremony the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Vasilis Kiklías presented her with a state award, describing it as a tribute to all lifeguards. He announced that in 2026 the number of organized beaches with mandatory lifeguard coverage rose from 661 to 692 and the allocated lifeguard positions increased from 1,007 to 1,042. He also reported 2,252 inspections that uncovered 740 violations and noted that sea‑related deaths fell by 22 compared with the same period in 2025, crediting the improvement to the strengthened safety measures.