Five scuba divers were rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) and Malta’s Civil Protection (CPD) Department after getting into difficulty off Wied iż-Żurrieq, off the southern coast of Malta’s main island.
Wied iż-Żurrieq – Żurrieq Valley – is a popular location for divers, as it is home to the wreck of the Um El Faroud, Malta’s most famous wreck within recreational dive limits. There are also several reefs, walls and caves to dive spread across East Reef, West Reef and the Blue Grotto.
Malta’s police department said the alarm was raised at around noon on Tuesday, 10 September, after the divers were dragged out to sea by strong currents and large waves.
A joint CPD and AFM search and rescue operation was launched, made difficult by the strong currents and waves. Four of the divers were picked up by a CPD RIB and the fifth lifted from the water by an AFM helicopter.
One diver was taken to Malta’s Mater Dei Hospital for observation, but no injuries were reported from the incident.
‘Five divers were rescued in a joint effort between the Armed Forces of Malta and the Department of Civil Protection in a rescue operation in the seas beyond the Żurrieq Valley,’ said AFM in a statement posted on Facebook.
‘The work was considered very difficult both because of the strong current that was present, and also the strong wind over the Maltese islands. It was the Red Cross organization that notified the Armed Forces that there were five divers in difficulty after being carried away by the current and the waves.
‘The Armed Forces immediately sent a helicopter and the Melita 2 to the area while the Civil Protection sent a detachment of fire engines with a RHIB,’ continues the statement.
‘One of the divers was rescued by the army helicopter and landed in the Żurrieq Valley with a winch so that he could be taken to the Mater Dei Hospital by an ambulance that arrived on the scene.
‘The other four divers were picked up on a Civil Protection RHIB and brought down to the ground safe and sound in Marsaxlokk.’
There have been several incidents in Malta during 2024 caused by inclement weather and strong currents.
A Dutch diver died and 17 were rescued from high seas off Ċirkewwa in March; and two Polish divers tragically died after getting into difficulty in strong currents while diving the wreck of the SS Polynesien off Żonqor Point, Marsascala.
