Family members of the Simshar tragedy victims were yesterday presented with cheques totalling €37,000 by Fisheries Minister George Pullicino.

The Simshar fishing boat exploded and sank in July and three men and an 11-year-old boy, Theo Bugeja, perished. The boat’s owner, Simon Bugeja, who was the boy’s father, was rescued, barely alive, after seven days in the sea.

Mr Bugeja was present for the ceremony together with his mother Carmen. Besides his son, Simon also lost his father Karmenu in the tragedy. Also present were Stephania Carabott, the widow of Noel and Mgr Philip Calleja on behalf of Somali victim Gedi Abdulrahman Abdala and his cousin. Mgr Calleja said that the money will be sent to Mr Abdala’s wife in Somalia.

The money was collected through public donations in the HSBC and BOV accounts opened by the government, a government contribution, a donation by the Koperattiva Sajd and the proceeds of a fundraising campaign on Family TV.

Mr Pullicino said that the government was working to improve health and safety at sea with the cooperation of the Armed Forces of Malta and the cooperative.

He said that in agreement with the cooperative the embellishment of the Marsaxlokk promenade will include a monument dedicated to all fishermen who lost their life at sea.

Photo: DOI, Clodagh Farrugia O’Neill