'Marsaxlokk will never be the same again'

Since the Simshar was reported missing a week ago the nation has been monitoring the news to learn what happened to its five crew members. timesofmalta.com readers shared their views about the story that touched people's hearts.

Etienne Borg: Well done Simon. You're a hero. All Malta should be proud of you. You really set an example of being a very good skipper and seaman and most of all, a very brave father. May God be with you and all the families of your crew. Let's just pray to find Teo.

Richard Bonello: May God comfort the relatives of those involved in this tragedy with the knowledge that the whole of Malta was following the whole drama as it unfolded. It was wonderful news to learn that it was their own workmates who eventually located them!

A. Charles: I know Simon and both sides of his family. I am very sorry for the loss. However, the Ethiopian (Eritrean) must have had a name and relatives. I find that his loss must have caused some sadness somewhere in this world.

Michaela Gatt Carabott: The more we hear about this tragedy, the more our hearts are tightening. And the thought of a poor innocent boy out there on his own, just terrifies me. I'm a mother of two small girls and I don't know what I'd do if one of them went missing. My heart goes out to Teo's mum. God gives you all the strength and courage that you need, and the same goes to the other families as well. After this tragedy Marsaxlokk will never be the same again... As for the Ethiopian fisherman, maybe we should give him a name ourselves? Maybe we should call him Kalċidon (name of my grandfather - a great fisherman). At least now he's got a name and some dignity...

Prof. Alex Felice: The past week has been difficult for most of us in Malta; after the fireworks, deaths, the illegitimate stoppages of the transport workers, and then the tragedy of the fishermen from Marsaxlokk. It is time to reflect as a nation how to behave ourselves better, even with each other.

There are lessons from the M'Xlokk tragedy. It is difficult to understand why it took us one week to find the dead and the survivors in an area that is constantly surveyed by military and secret services operations.

Secondly, anyone at sea should learn to wear safety gear and carry an electronic detection device.... What I want to say is, work with your minds more than your heart. I have no intention of being offensive and my heart and my family's goes out to the affected families in M'Xlokk; may their loved ones rest in peace .

Kamal Awad: I am deeply sorry to read such a bad news. May Allah bless their souls and keep them in heaven. My condolences to all the families of these victims.

Louise Chircop: The media has been referring to one of the fisherman as "the Eritrean/ Ethiopian fisherman". Does he have a name? Was it too difficult for our investigative journalists to find out what it was and refer to him by his name?

Edward Scerri: It's like one of those exaggerated drawn out films we sometimes see on TV. Unfortunately it is a real story. We can only pray for the survivor/s, the dead and their families, and that the missing are found.