.png)
.png)
Updated | Body of drowned tourist found in Marsalforn
Body of French girl who drowned on Saturday afternoon in Marsalforn has been found.
12 August 2013, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
1 min read
The Armed Forces of Malta this morning resumed their search for the body of the 17-year-old girl of French nationality who drowned off Xwejni Bay in Marsalforn, Gozo.
The Police has now confirmed the body was located and recovered at 9:30am in the same bay.
The girl found herself in difficulty while swimming in the strong seas on Saturday afternoon.
As the AFM Alouette III helicopter scrambled to area, the girl and a 53-year-old man, French as well, had already drowned. While the AFM crew immediately set to recover the two bodies, sight of the younger swimmer was lost.
The man was winched up aboard the helicopter where medics pronounced him dead.
An AFM spokesperson said all attempts were made to recover the second body that appeared to be lifeless, but due to the adverse weather conditions, and high seas the AFM crew lost sight of the swimmer.
Joseph MELI •
Finally,and I realise this is a contentious issue , but already a great many countries onpass the costs associated with any SAR operations to the rescued parties when it is proven that such a rescue was necessitated due to clearly irresponsible and reckless endangerment action by the rescued party(ies),along with failure to implement and possess the most basic of safety measures and equipment and failing to comply with warning signs/notices and other warnings.Lest we forget ,the SAR teams often venture out in dire weather conditions ,at great personal risk to their own lives ,to rescue people in distress with far too many of these people requiring rescue (often on a self-inflicted basis)due to irresponsible and reckless action on their part so why should responsible citizens be compelled to subsidise such irresponsibility?
Joseph MELI •
Furthermore,does anybody realise the harrowing affect of recovering such bodies has on the people tasked with with gruesome job?As we all hear about bodies being found but do we ever consider the condition they are found in and that the people undertaking such invaluable work also are fathers,mothers ,have sisters/brothers and nieces/nephews and are caring and feeling human beings first and foremost.The impact ,as sadly I was accustomed too, is beyond traumatic and the AFM's inestimable work (along with other ERT services )should be acknowledged in this unenviable duty.
Joseph MELI •
Great work once more by the AFM and now the family may at least have some form of closure for this poor young lassie .But why, oh why, did she venture out into such a savage and uncompromising sea with commonsense and a misguided belief in one's own abilities and capabilities when taking on the forces of nature reigning both absent and supreme.It would appear that no amount of warnings or notices will supersede such nor be complied with and not just by this lassie's unfinished life .May her God guide and comfort her and her family!
