A British visitor tragically drowned at a renowned site in Malta after sliding from a pleasure boat into the sea. The 43-year-old man encountered difficulties in the turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon in Comino around 1:30 pm on Tuesday. Observant holidaymakers noticed him submerged and promptly brought him to the surface, where they initiated CPR. Despite their efforts, he was later pronounced deceased in the hospital.
A police representative mentioned that an investigation into the incident has been initiated by Magistrate Brigitte Sultana. Prompt response from volunteer first-aiders of Malta’s Emergency Response and Rescue Corps led to the man being taken to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo for medical attention.
Despite receiving treatment from paramedics, the man was declared dead upon arrival at Victoria Hospital. This incident marks the 13th recorded drowning in Malta this year, with Comino witnessing the third fatality. Last month, a 35-year-old Italian also lost his life at the Blue Lagoon due to similar circumstances, while in April, the body of a missing 71-year-old fisherman was discovered off the coast of Comino.
An unfortunate incident involving a Spanish tourist occurred in July, where she sustained critical injuries from a propeller while boarding a boat in Comino and subsequently passed away. Regrettably, instances of sea-related mishaps leading to fatalities are not uncommon, with 14 deaths reported in 2024 according to police data.
While the Blue Lagoon remains a popular tourist spot in Malta, concerns over safety persist, particularly regarding its natural environments. The site emphasizes safety measures on its website, highlighting the presence of lifeguards and designated swimming areas for visitor protection.
Maltese officials recently announced the ‘Blue Lagoon Rehabilitation: Balancing Nature and Experience’ project, aimed at enhancing safety and visitor experience. Proposed measures include expanding the swimming area, removing kiosks from the shoreline, constructing a walkway, and relocating boat docking areas to ensure a safe distance from swim zones.
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