YEREVAN. - Two persons have drowned in Armenia’s Lake Sevan since the beginning of the year. Both tragic incidents took place not in a beach season, Commander of a special water-rescue detachment of Gegharkunik rescue service regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia, Senior Lieutenant Armen Chzmachyan, told journalists Wednesday.

In his words, in both cases the victims were fishermen. The incident happened in March: the boat had overturned.

Beefed-up duty from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. has been carried out in three public beaches since June 1.

Mr Chzmachyan urged the citizens to observe the rules of safety, refrain from swimming beyond buoys and enter the water in a condition of alcohol inebriation or after eating, as well as avoid swimming in reservoirs and follow the instructions of water rescuers.