Friday, 18th July 2008 - 20:09CET

UPDATE 4: Missing fisherman found alive - says there was explosion on boat

Adds report of explosion on fishing boat by rescued fisherman.

Simon Bugeja, one of the fishermen on the Maltese fishing boat Simshar reported missing for the past week, has been found at sea alive. Mr Bugeja was pulled from the sea by the vessel Grecale and has been ferried to hospital by helicopter. He has suffered burns.

Informed sources said that Mr Bugeja told his rescuers that there had been an explosion on the boat. He said he had been in the sea near his son Theo, 11, until shortly before the rescue. He had last seen Theo on a float but he was believed to be dead. He directed the rescuers to the son's last known position.

Earlier two other fishermen on the Simshar, Noel Carabott, and Carmelo Bugeja (Simon Bugeja's father) were found dead. Mr Carabott was found by a merchant ship late yesterday 60 miles south west of Malta and brought to Malta early this morning. Mr Bugeja is due to be brought to Malta on a patrol boat late tonight.

Also still missing is an Ethiopian fisherman who had also been on the boat.

The Simshar (picture) had been due back in Marsaxlokk a week ago. An extensive search was mounted between Malta and Lampedusa by aircraft from the AFM and Italian and American units. A number of fishing boats also took part while merchant ships were alerted to keep a lookout.

Comments

shaun sammut (on 20/7/08)

for me it was a miracle that simon bugejja found alive but if the armed forces of malta would let the fishemen help them three of them would be found alive for theo it's impossible to be found alive may god keep hands on theo if he would be found dead or alive at least they can make him a funeral thks

Major Anthony Abela (on 19/7/08)

In my opinion the lives of these people may have been saved if certain safety standards were maintained and if the Malta Rescue Coordination Centre is well equipped and run on international standards.

One must note that from what we know now none of the persons died because of the explosion. It is strange that all the rescued or recovered bodies were found by the fishermen searching the area and not by the boats and aircraft involved officially in the search

Why daylight-glow bands are not worn by fishermen on the open seas? Why the boat was not equipped with automated location beacons? These are immediately picked up by Satellitte. I presume in this day and age the boat was Data Dracking or Position Recording equipped and thus the last location of the boat should have been recorded one way or another, thus enabling the Rescue Coordinating Centre to direct all involved in the search directly to the spot, immediately.

These and many more ifs has to be answered so that lessons are learnt, unfortunetly the hard way.

Otherwise we will never learn.

Gerard Mangion (on 19/7/08)

Thank You Dear God, for the Fisherman found ,Please make it it possible for the young Boy
and the the Ethiopian Fisherman, Will be found in good condition also,
Thank you Dear GOD, Forgive us Dear GOD.

joseph (on 19/7/08)

Keep up the good work A.F.M.
Thanks especially for the heroic soldiers.

Franco Farrugia (on 19/7/08)

@ c busuttil - You forgot to pray for the safe recovery of the Ethiopian man. Luckily, the god you pray to thinks of all, Maltese and immigrants alike!

jason gatt (on 19/7/08)

i am married to the daughter of a fisherman from marsaxlokk, and since hearing of this news i have felt a deep hurt in my heart as i know how close a community marsaxlokk is, and although we are so far away from you all in malta we constantly think and pray that some how Theo will be found safe.Our thoughts and prays go to all those involved ,especially the mother of theo.the good Lord above has blessed us in bringing Simon back, please dear sweet Jesus show us another blessing in bringing back our dear Theo.We constantly pray for you all in marsaxlokk and not forgetting the Ethiopian man who is also still lost.May the lord give you strenght and hope in this difficult time.

michael cauchi (on 19/7/08)

@ C.Busuttil

perfectly right comments......
the man himself is more than a hero....unbelievable ,,,,,even reading comments & newspapers u feel more than shocked........ lets hope the son and other man will be found soon.....god be with them and all their families

c.busuttil (on 19/7/08)

Dear Lord,
please find Theo for us very soon, he has become a son to all of us, and give strength and courage to his heroic parents. Receive the souls of those who perished and give strength and grace to their loved ones. Let it be done according to Your will. We trust in Your Mercy.

E Bugeja (on 19/7/08)

My sincere codolences to the families of the dead. You are in our thoughts and our prayers are with you.

A note to my husband Mark, captain of grecale... Great Work! I'm proud of you dear, your sacrifice out there at sea with the help of God gave a fruitful ending. Let's not lose hope maybe there will be a happier ending...

charmaine mangion (on 19/7/08)

let us all pray so this little boy will be found safe and sound.

David Muscat (on 19/7/08)

Let's pray for the little boy.

C.Busuttil (on 19/7/08)

To struggle all that time long. To keep yourself floating. To prevent a hypothermia ( I really can't believe how he made it - but he did! ). To roast your skull for 14 hrs a day. To keep awake all that time so not to go down. To know your friend and father are dead beside you. To keep near your son till the last minute also when you believe he is dead is no joke. Let's not forget that this man also suffered burns. A lion's courage is not enough. Even lions would have given up.
I that consider myself an excellent sea man would not have done it for longer than a couple of days. A man struggling against sea is like a newborn puppy struggling against a lion.
Let us all pray for them and for their families and may the other two be found. Hopefully alive!

Michaela Gatt Carabott (on 19/7/08)

I still remember the Tabakku family when I lived in Malta,Simon driving up our street with his music full blast.Its a tragic loss not just for the family but the whole village.My father and brother are both fisherman and to think this could be anyone's destiny,its so frightening.But one shouldn't lose faith,there is a GOD up there and we should pray to him everyday.I can't begin to comprehend what you all in the village must be going through,because I'm here in Melbourne checking on the net the whole time and its not easy.These are our fellow brothers we are talking about even the ethiopian guy,his poor family.All these wounds won't heal overnight but with everyone's support and love things should be a touch easier maybe?
MAY GOD & IL MADONNA TA' POMPEI BE WITH YOU ALL.xxx.

Justin Camilleri (on 19/7/08)

I couldnt sleep for almost 3 days now closing my eyes i see simon and his son theo, i just spoke and saw them before they went to sea... I really wish simon a good recovery, lets keep on praying god to do another miracle and bring the boy and the ethopian safe! My condolences to the families of noel and simon's family for his father... the boy has to be alive!

Denis Catania (on 19/7/08)

God Bless the rescuers. MR.Bugeja wishing you a fast recovery. Let's pray for the rescue of his son and the Ethiopian man.
@Dun Gorg Precca if you have another miracle, this is the time.

Karl Borg (on 19/7/08)

Yes thanks god Simon was found but let's not forget Noel who have died and left his wife Stephania alone.You will stay always in our heart Noel and may God open his arms to receive you as one of his angles.You were always great from your friend Karl

Joyce Calleja Bayliss (on 19/7/08)

All through this ordeal, we have been deeply praying for you dear Sharon. Old friends are never forgotten in times of need. Today is my birthday and all I have asked for is for Simon , Theo and all the others to be found. So happy to know Simon is alive and doing well, thank God. May they also find your beloved son Theo because I know what you are going through. Our deepest condolences for the other two families who have lost their loved ones.
God be with you all.

Abigail Galea (on 19/7/08)

May God be with all these families in this time, these losses were very tragic and have shocked the village of M'Xlokk completely. We leave in the Mercy of Our Lady of Pompei that Theo is found as well safe and sound. All our sympathy to all the families. It is impossible not to think of them. We pray for you all.

odette manicaro (on 18/7/08)

I who know how strong is simon wish him a get well soon. wish his wife sharon that somebody will find her son . I dont know what to write because i know these ppl and its hard for me and much much more for them. Sharon hope you will find your beloved son. Me and my family are praying for you. its very hard for you as i am a mum too and i've been crying all day today. wish simon a speedy recovery.

C.Catania (on 18/7/08)

MAy God be with the boy and wil be found alive soon. my thoughts are with his family!

William Attard McCarthy (on 18/7/08)

I can not help but close my eyes and wonder what an ordeal Simon and the rest of the crew must have been through. A million questions pass through my mind; like what caused the explosion, when did it happen, etc...things that surely all the bereaved family members are asking themselves at this moment too.....questions that will finally be answered by the man who made it through.

What stamina this Simon must have! What personal inner strength! What a will to survive! I sincerely wish to thank all those that took part in this rescue operation, and above all pray to God that Theo is found too.

Matthew Dougall (on 18/7/08)

Yes indeed miracles do happen, for him to survive at the surface of the sea for a whole week is a miracle, people said he is a tough man. I hope that the boy and the Ethiopian will be found and alive although its unlikely to happen

Shaun Camilleri (on 18/7/08)

Such a litte town, such a great loss. I am glad that one has made his way back, at least the family can make a little bit more courage. Such a sad story, sad things that happen to hard working people. My condolences to the families

Franco Farrugia (on 18/7/08)

This is good news.

I hope that someone will at least express sadness for the nameless Ethiopian fisherman in the boat - after all, he is a human being like the Maltese!!!!!!!

Keith Grech (on 18/7/08)

Solidarity at its best. Well done to all fisherman who helped in the search and rescue efforts.
My sympathy goes with the families of the dead.

J K (on 18/7/08)

There is a God up there! I really really really wish Theo is found as well! I hope this ends on a positive high, eventhough there are already 2 fatalities.

Deepest Symphaty with the families of the two found dead. May God assist them in their passage to a sure Heaven!

francette paris (on 18/7/08)

may god and madonna ta pompei be with the boy and will be found alive. thank god for simon though we give our syompathy to his mother and noels familly may god be with all of them all of them in our prayers

Victor Vella (on 18/7/08)

At least one out of five made it, at least he would inform the authorities as to the details of the case. That would help the famileis of the dead and missing come to terms with the tragedy.Our prayers should be with the widow and mother who so far has lost everything .

christino azzopardi (on 18/7/08)

Thanks god All maltese People prayed for them

Dorianne Bonello (on 18/7/08)

Let's hope for more survivors!

Ramon Zammit (on 18/7/08)

I AM HAPPY FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY! MAY THEY FIND THE BOY AS WELL!!

Victoria Grech (on 18/7/08)

Hallelujah!

NEVILLE GAFA' (on 18/7/08)

Thank God for the best news of this year.
My sympathy goes with the families of the dead.

Joseph Calleja (on 18/7/08)

"MIRACLES DO HAPPEN " This is proof enough... My deep and sincere symphaties to the other families.

L Galea (on 18/7/08)

God answered our prayers

apgrech (on 18/7/08)

Some relief from the tragedy. Thanks God and hope they'll recover shortly.

So happy to also read that the little boy is alive.

Stephania Falzon (on 18/7/08)

Thank God for this good news...

Deepest Symphaty with the families of the two found dead

Chris Borg (on 18/7/08)

Thank God. This is truly good news.

Prayers have been answered.

isabella peresso fiorentino (on 18/7/08)

Goodness knows what that poor boy has been through.

emmanuel caruana (on 18/7/08)

Thanks God for the news my depest codoliances to the families of the deceased. Finding someone alive at least will sheed some light on what happened.

V Farrugia (on 18/7/08)

Thank heavens for that!

Next article • Second group of migrants arrives

Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

UPDATE 4: Missing fisherman found alive - says there was explosion on boat

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