Mogadishu, Somalia — Police have intensified safety operations at Mogadishu’s Liido Beach to protect swimmers, especially children, amid a steady rise in drowning cases at the city’s busiest shoreline.
Police data shows the beach attracts more than 5,000 visitors every Friday, many of them swimming without life jackets or supervision. Authorities say at least one person dies and several others go missing every week, making Liido one of the city’s most dangerous leisure spots.
“To reduce the risks, we have launched a beach safety awareness campaign,” said Samira, Chief of the Beach Safety Police Unit. “Every Friday, we deploy patrol boats to monitor the coastline and ensure swimmers are safe.”
This is the first time Mogadishu police have introduced a coordinated beach safety program. Officers are also urging families to supervise children closely and follow safety guidelines when entering the water.
The renewed focus on beach safety comes as Somalia continues to battle terrorism from Al Shabaab, a conflict that has strained public services and stretched security institutions for years. As the city becomes more stable and residents return to public spaces like Liido, authorities say the demand for stronger civilian safety measures has grown faster than existing systems can support