Young German student drowns

A 22-year-old German student drowned in rough sea at Fond Ghadir, Sliema yesterday.

Glenz Gerhard had been in Malta for about three weeks to study English and used to attend the I.E.L.S. school in Tigné.

Miliam Ralick, 27, a Yugoslav, tried to rescue the German but found himself in difficulty and had to be rescued by an AFM search and rescue vessel. The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. A group of foreign youths were enjoying the warm but windy afternoon on the shore near the Surfside restaurant when the German student decided to go for a swim but failed to return. Shock was evident on the faces of fellow students at Fond Ghadir as a search was launched for their friend after they reported him missing. The Armed Forces of Malta immediately sent two search and rescue vessels and a helicopter.

After rescuing Mr Ralick, who was described as a friend of the students the AFM personnel continued their search, this time with the help of army divers. The sea was rather rough with waves whipped up by a force five to six North Westerly wind.

The body of Mr Gerhard was recovered by AFM divers at about 5.30 p.m. and taken on board the AFM rescue boat Melita 1.

Magistrate Denis Montebello appointed a team of experts to assist in an inquiry.