Angler's body found near Blue Grotto

The body of Albert Saliba was found yesterday in the sea near Blue Grotto in Wied iz-Zurrieq, four days after he was swept away by a wave while fishing from the shore in the area.

Saliba, 70, of Zurrieq was spotted by Armed Forces personnel aboard a Bell helicopter on a coastal surveillance patrol.

The AFM said the corpse was found floating face downwards at 3.30 p.m. some 150 metres away from Blue Grotto.

It was recovered by rescue divers Sergeant James Seychell and Bombardier Jesmond Said, who were lowered into the rough sea from an Alouette helicopter of the 2nd Regiment's Air Squadron.

The AFM said the corpse was attached to what looked like a 'kannizzata' , a fishing net.

The corpse was later lowered to an open space near the Wied iz-Zurrieq police station.

The body was identified by members of the Saliba family who had been assisting in the search ever since he was washed away while lifting a fishing line from the rocky shore at iz-Zellieq in the early hours of Thursday morning, in the company of his son Norman.

The helicopter pilots involved in the spotting and recovery operation were Staff Sergeant Angelique Galea and Captain Paul Gauci.

An AFM helicopter yesterday flew to Wied iz-Zurrieq at various intervals and hovered over the area offshore where Saliba had gone missing.

Relatives used binoculars to inspect flotsam which was carried inland by the current.

A torch worn by Saliba was found on Friday in 45 metre-deep water by divers engaged privately by the family to search for the body.

Police Superintendent Angelo Baldacchino is investigating.