The scene on Saturday, as lifesaving attempts were being made on one of the men in Comino. Picture: Elaine MicallefThe death of two Britons at the Blue Lagoon last Saturday has prompted calls for an earlier introduction of the lifeguard service as tourists start flocking to this iconic beach well before the summer.
Eyewitnesses recounted how they watched in exasperation while the tragedy was unfolding in front of them but could do nothing.
They said it made no sense to wait until the peak of summer to deploy lifeguards as by the beginning of May this Comino beach is already packed with bathers.
While one could never say what might have been, some readers also suggested that the presence of lifeguards may have prevented the tragedy.
One of them, Jeremy Pullicino, said: “Poor guys. Shows how effective and important the lifeguards are.”
Noel Caruana Scicluna remarked: “What a sad way to end a holiday... it seems that lifeguards have not yet been assigned to the spot.”
In recent years the Gozo Ministry, in collaboration with the Malta Tourist Authority, has provided a lifeguard service which was managed by the Emergence Response and Rescue Corps – a voluntary organisation based in Malta.
What a sad way to end a holiday
The service runs from mid-June till the end of September. Sources yesterday told this newspaper that it was not yet known who would be providing it this year, as the tender had not yet been awarded.
Saturday’s tragedy unfolded when two 35-year-old men who were on holiday drowned after being pulled under by strong currents at around 3.30pm.
Their identity has not been disclosed. Reports in the British media said one of the victims was a dentist from Small Heath, Birmingham.
One of the men was taken ashore and given basic first aid while his friend was pulled on to a boat and taken to the nearby Mġarr Marina. Nevertheless by the time they were airlifted to hospital by an army helicopter both of them were certified death.