Although three people were injured over the weekend while jumping off the rocks in Comino, the number of such incidents is actually down over last year.

Mario Saliba, administrator of the ERRC voluntary lifeguards, said the number of people jumping from high rocks in Comino has dropped drastically.

“Warning signs erected after last year’s craze have had an impact but you still get some who ignore them or choose to jump from alternative spots around Comino,” Mr Saliba said.

He added that it was impossible to place warning signs everywhere on the popular island.

Two of the injured jumpers over the weekend leapt off the rocks from areas previously not used for the purpose.

Mr Saliba also attributed the drop in jumpers to a decision by the Malta Tourism Authority and Transport Malta to close off Cominotto for boats. This prevented pleasure craft from disembarking people straight onto the islet, which was a popular jumping spot last year.

However, closing Cominotto off to sea craft has caused a different form of danger as people with personal belongings and cooler bags choose to cross over from Comino via a narrow, submerged passageway.

“We have had more cases of tired swimmers this year since many attempting to walk the short distance between Comino and Cominotto are dragged away from the shallow parts by sea currents,” Mr Saliba said.