A British man is currently missing following a tragic incident where an 11-year-old boy lost his life while swimming in Malta. The authorities, including the police and the Civil Protection Department, initiated an extensive search operation at Ramla Bay after receiving a distress call around 1pm on Monday. Despite being rescued from the water and rushed to the hospital, the young boy unfortunately passed away upon arrival.
It remains unclear whether the man and the boy were swimming together when they encountered difficulties. Notably, the Meteorological Office had issued a warning about strong winds affecting Malta earlier in the week. Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 16 individuals have drowned in the country.
The search for the unidentified man has resumed today. Magistrate Brigitte Sultana is overseeing an inquiry into the recent incidents, as reported locally.
In a separate incident last month, a British tourist drowned at a renowned location in Malta after using a 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 struggling underwater and administered CPR before he was declared deceased at a hospital.
Following the tragedy, an inquiry has been launched by Magistrate Brigitte Sultana. Volunteer first-aiders from Malta’s Emergency Response and Rescue Corps promptly responded, transporting the victim to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
Tragically, drowning incidents in Malta are on the rise. Recent cases include a 35-year-old Italian man who died at the Blue Lagoon in August and the discovery of a deceased 71-year-old fisherman off the coast of Comino in April.
Additionally, a Spanish tourist lost her life in July after being struck by a boat propeller while boarding a vessel in Comino. She sustained severe injuries during the incident and succumbed to them later.
Despite being a popular tourist spot, the Blue Lagoon has raised concerns about safety and environmental impact. The area is monitored by lifeguards, and safety measures are in place to ensure visitors can swim securely from May to October.
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