Yesterday at 4.03p.m. the Operations Centre of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) was informed that a diver was missing off ‘Zonqor Point' area. The 44 year male diver left for the dive at 9.45 a.m. yesterday morning. Upon receiving the call, the AFM diverted a Search and Rescue( SAR) Launch, MELITA II to the area and the asset was on site within minutes to initiate the search. Another patrol vessel of the AFM (P24) was also rerouted to the area.
An AFM Alouette with a rescuer on board was scrambled to the area in order to assist in the search. A team of Rescue Scuba Divers deriving from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) element of the 3rd Regiment, AFM, were also actively involved in the search .These have conducted a number of underwater dives in the vicinities. Another SAR Vessel,
Melita I, was dispatched to the area and conducted a coastal search after sunset to the late hours of Sunday.
The inshore Patrol Vessel, P24 remained on site throughout the night. The search proceeded early this morning with an AB212 Helicopter (Italio-Maltese Crew), a SAR Maritime vessel, Melita I, an Inshore Patrol Vessel (P22) and an E.O.D. Rescue Diver team on site in the very early hours of this morning. Interceptor P01 joined in the Search this morning.
A joint diving team from the AFM and Civil Protection Department under the Operational Command of RCC Malta, found the body just off Zonqor point at around 11.15 am this morning