The search for a British diver missing since Monday off Xatt l-Ahmar in Gozo has been suspended, the AFM said this afternoon.

Paul Swain failed to surface with his buddies after a dive over the wreck of the former Gozo ferry Xlendi, which is at a depth of some 45 metres.

Divers from the AFM, the Civil Protection Department and volunteers immediately launched an intensive search of the wreck and the surrounding area, with no results.

"Due to the amount of loose debris currently present in the wreck it was concluded that the chamber where the missing diver went into last was unsafe for rescuers and divers alike. The search was therefore suspended," the AFM said.

The diver's brother, Brett, in a comment to timesofmalta.com expressed his gratitude to the divers involved in the search.

"My family and I cannot express enough gratitude for the bravery and dedication of all concerned in their attempts to find Paul," Mr Swain said.

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