Strong winds and high seas led to the tragic death of a scuba diver in one of the largest diver rescue operations ever conducted around Malta
A 45-year-old Dutch man has died after encountering difficulties in strong winds at the wreck of the Rożi dive site, near Ċirkewwa, off the coast of Malta. Seventeen other divers were rescued, three of whom were taken to hospital for treatment following the incident.
According to reports, the police were alerted at around 1.20pm on Tuesday, 26 March that a group of divers was in distress as strong winds and rough seas were preventing them from exiting the water.
Ċirkewwa is a popular dive site, accessible to divers of all levels as a shore dive from the nearby ferry terminal, and also as a boat dive from Malta’s second island, Gozo. The nearby wreck of the MV Rożi, a tug boat scuttled at Ċirkewwa 1992 as an artificial reef, is an easy dive for more experienced divers, with a maximum depth of around 35m.
Winds on the day of the accident were reported to have reached up to force six on the Beaufort scale, with gusts of up to force nine (strong gale force) recorded in more exposed areas. The Met Office had issued a yellow weather warning for the area at around 1 pm.
The waves got higher as the wind became stronger, making it difficult for the divers to exit the water. Four of the divers managed to swim for shore unaided, while Malta’s Civil Protection Department and Armed Forces personnel began a rescue operation to retrieve the others. Gozo Channel ferries were suspended for two hours while the divers were recovered.
Four divers were taken to Mater Dei Hospital in Valetta, where the 45-year-old Dutchman was declared dead on arrival. There is currently no information available as to the nature of the injuries he sustained, although it has been reported the other three divers are not in a serious condition.
Malta, Gozo and Comino are among the most popular scuba diving destinations in Europe – this is thought to be the largest search and rescue operation for scuba divers ever undertaken around the islands. Malta’s Magistrate Gabriella Vella has ordered an inquiry.
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