As of: March 29, 2024, 1:31 p.m
By: Victoria Krumbeck
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Press
Split
Several divers were surprised by a sudden change in the weather off the coast of Malta. They had to be saved. A man was killed.
Cirkewwa – On the island of Malta, diving is an attraction for many tourists. But for at least two groups of divers, the trip ended in tragedy on Tuesday (March 26). A sudden change in the weather left two groups in dire straits. 17 people were rescued from the abrupt winds. However, a 45-year-old man from the Netherlands died.
Malta: Tourist dies while diving – 17 people rescued
The divers were in groups off Cirkewwa Rozi, a popular diving site on the northern tip of Malta, Maltese authorities said, according to the Reuters news agency. Sudden strong winds would have caused rough seas. The Maltese authorities had declared the “code yellow” at 1 p.m., but the diving groups were already on the move at that time and were unaware of the report.
The Rozi wreck in northern Malta is a popular destination for divers. © xrobathx/dpa
The divers swam near a popular wreck site. Police said they were called to the dive site at around 1.20pm because several divers were in trouble in the sea, the
Times of Malta
reported. Several helicopters and patrol boats were used to search for the groups. Four divers managed to swim to shore under their own power, less than a mile (approx. 1.6 kilometers) away. Others were rescued from the sea. However, the 45-year-old diver was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Tourist dies while diving – diver says: “Waves got higher”
A member of the diving school told the
Times of Malta
that it was a “normal day for divers”. “But the waves got higher, making it difficult for divers to get out.” “There was a cry for help,” he continued. As Reuters wrote, it was said to be the largest rescue operation for divers in Malta.
In Italy, too, a diver died after diving to a wreck. He was the 19th victim who did not survive the dive to the wreck. Other divers experienced an unusual moment when they found themselves in a group of sharks.
(vk)