61 years since biggest peacetime Gozo tragedy

J Bezzina

Nov 3rd 2009, 12:45

More than one body were picked up off Fomm ir-Rih. These included my25-year old uncle Guzeppi picked up six days after the tragedy. He was known to be one of the best swimmers in Marsalforn, swimming from il-Banju tal-Isqof u il-Menqa in minutes.
According to one of the survivors, he drowned when the character mentioned by previous correspondents below clutched to him as he was nearing land. Lord grant them all eternal peace.

Paul Borg

Nov 3rd 2009, 10:42

I have a recollection in the deep recesses of my mind that some of the victims' bodies floated in the current all the way to Fomm ir-Rih in Malta, which is a fair distance away.

david camilleri

Nov 2nd 2009, 13:40

The tragic story occurred exactly like G Grech said , the lady complained because they had paid to Mgarr and not to Hondoq . Everyone agreed to enter Hondoq ir-Rummien except her .One of the victims on that Luzzu was my mother's cousin . The point where they drowned is very dangerous for the currents and for the very deep sea.

Mario Borg

Nov 2nd 2009, 13:30

Are any of the four survivors still with us today?

G Grech

Nov 2nd 2009, 12:25

@ Joe Camilleri

They say that, according to survivors' accounts, the boat had already made it to safety in Hondoq but a woman complained that they had paid to go all the way to Mgarr and pursuaded the skipper to go to Mgarr. Tragedy struck between Hondoq and Mgarr.

Joe Camilleri

Nov 2nd 2009, 11:54

Once a gozitan told me that the boat first reached Hondoq ir-rummien, since it is nearer to malta, and because it was pitch dark, it tried to go to Mgarr. It was then that the tragedy happened.

I am only asking if this is true.