1948 sea tragedy marked in Gozo

A maritime tragedy that took place in the Gozo channel 54 years ago, claiming 23 lives, was commemorated on Sunday when wreaths were laid in the water from a Gozo Channel vessel.

The ceremony was held near the monument to the tragedy in Mgarr, Gozo, as well as on the site of the accident which occurred on October 30, 1948.

A number of passengers and crew were on a luzzu that had left Marfa bound for Gozo in bad weather. The boat capsized as it approached Hondoq ir-Rummien and only four people managed to swim to safety.

Present for the ceremony were Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, Speaker Anton Tabone and Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, in addition to relatives of the victims and the chairman of the national festivities committee for Gozo, Vincent Grech.