Bathers and rescuers try to resuscitate a Briton who, together with his friend, drowned yesterday in the strong currents at Comino. Photos: Elaine Micallef

Two British men drowned yesterday afternoon as they were pulled under by strong currents while swimming at the Blue Lagoon in Comino.

The tragic death of the two friends, who remained unidentified until going to print , both aged 35, who were in Malta on holiday, took place in front of their friend who was swimming with them.

The victims’ friend was taken to Gozo Hospital where he was treated for shock.

The incident happened at around 3.30pm when bathers in the popular bay heard the men cry out in distress.

People on the beach started calling out for help and a number of swimmers approached the men to try to rescue them, eyewitnesses told The Sunday Times of Malta.

One of the men was taken ashore on the tiny Comino beach and was given first aid for several minutes while the other was pulled onto a boat and taken to Mġarr marina in Gozo.

An Armed Forces of Malta helicopter was scrambled to the site within minutes and the man was airlifted to hospital.

However, both men were certified dead on arrival.

Witnesses expressed concern that there were no lifeguards or trained personnel on site to provide assistance on the popular Comino beaches, despite already being packed with tourists.

The Armed Forces of Malta helicopter at the scene of the tragedy on Comino yesterday.

“It’s important to have someone who can provide assistance on these dangerous locations, which are already full of young people,” one person said.

The beauty of Blue Lagoon hides a dangerous undercurrent where a narrow shallow channel of sand cuts across a deep basin.

An amateur fisherman and keen Comino visitor said: “There is always a current in that sandy channel but it gets worse when the sea is rough or there are strong winds like those we had these two days.”

Magistrate Paul Coppini appointed several experts to help in his inquiry