A man from the UK is currently unaccounted for following the tragic death of an 11-year-old boy who encountered difficulties while swimming in Malta.
Emergency responders, along with the police and the Civil Protection Department, initiated an extensive search operation via boat and helicopter at Ramla Bay after the incident occurred around 1 pm on Monday. Despite efforts to save him, the boy succumbed to his injuries upon arrival at the hospital.
It remains unclear whether the man and the boy were swimming together when they encountered trouble. The local Meteorological Office had issued warnings about strong winds affecting Malta earlier that week. Since the beginning of 2025, 16 individuals have tragically drowned in the country.
Efforts to locate the missing man, whose identity has not been disclosed, resumed this morning. Magistrate Brigitte Sultana is overseeing an inquiry into the recent events, as per local reports.
In a separate incident last month, a British visitor lost his life at a renowned site in Malta after using a water slide from a pleasure boat into the sea. The 43-year-old man entered the waters at the Blue Lagoon in Comino, where bystanders noticed him submerged and attempted CPR before he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the recent drowning incidents, with volunteer first-aiders from Malta’s Emergency Response and Rescue Corps providing immediate assistance.
Tragically, drowning incidents in Malta have been on the rise. Recent cases include a 35-year-old Italian man who lost his life at the Blue Lagoon in August and a 71-year-old fisherman found deceased off the coast of Comino in April.
Furthermore, a Spanish tourist suffered fatal injuries in July after being struck by a boat propeller while boarding a vessel in Comino.
Despite being a popular tourist attraction, the Blue Lagoon has raised safety concerns over the years, emphasizing the importance of lifeguards and designated swimming areas for visitor safety.
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