Three swimmers were yesterday rescued by two men at Ramla Bay, after getting into difficulties in rough sea.

Witnesses said the father and son, together with a German tourist, were three of a handful of swimmers who braved the sea despite the adverse weather at about noon.

They said the three were dragged some way out before they began crying out for help but two young lifeguards on site did not seem to hear them, prompting two men to leap into the water and help them back to shore.

The lifeguards, said the witnesses, only met the swimmers about a metre off the shore.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces said an Irish tourist who was staying in Buġibba was airlifted on Friday after finding himself stranded between Ġnejna and Għajn Tuffieħa.

David Rea, 32, was previously in the company of another tourist when he somehow found himself separated from the mainland by the rough seas.

The AFM said a patrol boat was sent to help him ashore but could not safely reach him.

A helicopter was then flown to the area to winch abroad Mr Rea, who was unhurt.