Surviving fisherman gives more details of Simshar sinking

Simon Bugeja, the fisherman who survived at sea for a week, told rescuers yesterday that all four men and the boy aboard the fishing boat Simshar survived the explosion which tore the boat apart. He said the other three men succombed to the sea.

Mr Bugeja said the explosion occurred in the early hours of yesterday week - the same day the boat was due in Malta - after the engine was heard making a strange noise.

The five initially were in the water together, holding on to floating objects which they formed into a raft.

Mr Bugeja said he had urged the others not to drink seawater but it was only himself and his son Theo who didn't.

He said the Ethiopian fisherman who was part of the crew succombed first to the sea last Saturday followed by Noel Carabott on Sunday and Carmelo Bugeja on Monday.

Mr Bugeja said that on Thursday, a helicopter flew very close to him and his son but somehow did not see them.

The corpse of Mr Carabott was found late on Thursday and that of Carmelo Bugeja was found yesterday. The police confirmed they had drowned.

Simon Bugeja said he had been with his son up to yesterday morning, when Theo slipped from his hands but was still on a two floats which he had tied to his son. Mr Bugeja was rescued yesterday evening and is under intensive care.

The search for Theo and the Ethiopian fisherman is continuing.