Brit boy, 11, dies as his dad, 37, remains missing after pair got into difficulty swimming at hols hotspot beach
A BRITISH boy has died and his father remains missing after the pair got into difficulty while swimming at a popular Malta beach.
The tragedy unfolded yesterday afternoon at Ramla Bay, where the family were enjoying the final hours of their holiday.
According to local reports, the 11-year-old boy and his 37-year-old dad were swimming in front of horrified relatives when they began struggling in the water.
Police were called at around 1.15pm, and rescuers from the Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department launched an intensive search using dinghies and a helicopter.
The boy was pulled from the water and treated at the scene before being rushed to Gozo General Hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead.
His father has not been found.
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But authorities say the search for the missing man is ongoing.
As of Tuesday morning, rescuers were still scouring Ramla Bay, hoping for signs of the missing dad.
The Meteorological Office had issued warnings about strong north-west winds on Monday, and it’s unclear if these treacherous conditions contributed to the tragedy.
Other family members reportedly flew to Malta on Tuesday to support the devastated relatives.
The boy’s death marks the 16th drowning in Malta this year, according to the Times of Malta.
It comes just weeks after a 43-year-old British tourist died while swimming at Malta’s famous Blue Lagoon, after using a slide on a tourist boat.
Witnesses pulled him from the water and performed CPR, but he was later pronounced dead at Victoria Hospital.
In August, a 35-year-old Italian tourist lost his life in the same lagoon.
Earlier in July, a Spanish holidaymaker was left with serious injuries after being struck by a boat propeller.
And in April, a 71-year-old fisherman’s body was found off Comino’s coast.
The tragedies come as plans are unveiled for a sweeping overhaul of the Blue Lagoon to improve safety and protect its fragile ecosystem.
Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg announced proposals including the removal of shoreline kiosks to create a 200-metre scenic walkway, reports Malta Daily.
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The plans will also see the restoration of 35,000 square metres of shrubland, and the relocation of vessel operations away from swimmers.
The project, titled Blue Lagoon Rehabilitation: Balancing Nature and Experience, also aims to enlarge the swimming zone by around 5,600 square metres.