The Armed Forces of Malta and fishermen yesterday conducted separate aerial searches for 11-year-old Theo Bugeja who is still unaccounted for since his father's fishing vessel sank two weeks ago.
A spokesman for the AFM said the search for the boy continued using an Italian Military Mission helicopter. A representative of the National Fisheries Cooperative explained that fishermen contracted a plane - a Piper, belonging to Azzopardi Fisheries - to look for the boy. The searches yielded no results.
Both were not in a position to ascertain whether searches will continue today because this depended on a variety of factors such as the weather. A decision would be taken this morning, they said.
The AFM spokesman was not in a position to say with certainty how long yesterday's helicopter search lasted.
He explained that the duration of a flight alone was not a telling factor as one had to take into account various variables such as the search area, among other things.
Ray Bugeja, from the cooperative, said the rented plane had set off in the morning and flew from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursday, the plane searched from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Simshar tragedy resulted in the death of three fishermen: Noel Carabott, 33, Carmelo Bugeja, 61, and Somali national Abdulrahman Abdala Gedi, 21. Post-mortem examinations on their bodies, found at sea, confirmed that all three died by drowning. Mr Gedi also suffered burns.
The boat owner, Simon Bugeja, was the only survivor. Mr Bugeja told his rescuers Theo had died.
The fishing trip, for swordfish, started on July 7 and the boat was expected back by July 11. Concerned relatives reported the vessel overdue the following day when the searches started.
A magisterial inquiry, led by Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna, has been launched. The funerals of the three men cannot be held until their bodies are released by the magistrate.
On Thursday, Transport Minister Austin Gatt appointed lawyer Anne Fenech to carry out a preliminary investigation into the case and make her recommendations in terms of the Merchant Shipping Act. The Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs together with the National Fisheries Cooperative and Għaqda Koperattiva tas-Sajd have set up a fund to assist the families of the victims of the Simshar tragedy.
This assistance is over and above the help the government is giving to the families, the Department of Information said yesterday.
Anyone who would like to donate money towards this fund can do so through Bank of Valletta account 40017401487 and HSBC account 089020028050.