Updated Sunday 8am

Two divers died after finding themselves in difficulties while exploring a wreck off Żonqor, Marsascala on Saturday morning. 

Police were alerted to the emergency at 10.30 am. 

Times of Malta is informed that the two divers, both Polish nationals, were brought ashore in an AFM rescue boat and were seen by medical teams on site.

Sources said the victims were with a diving school exploring Le Polynesien, a World War I wreck at a depth of 50 metres when the incident happened. 

One of the two - a 45-year-old victim had an issue at depth and realising the problem, the other diver tried to help his colleague. On the way up they missed decompression, sparking the emergency, the sources said.

An ambulance took the divers to Mater Dei Hospital, where one diver was certified dead shortly after. The other, a 48-year-old diver, succumbed to his injuries later. 

Magistrate Joseph Mifsud was informed of the case and appointed an inquiry. Police investigations are still ongoing. 

Diving incidents

Last Sunday, the AFM rescued two divers after finding themselves in difficulties off Żonqor in Marsascala. 

Back in May, a 44-year-old Swiss woman died while diving in Dwejra, Gozo.

In March, a 45-year-old man from the Netherlands died after he and a group of 17 other divers encountered difficulties and had to be rescued from the Rożi dive site in Ċirkewwa.

Only four of the divers managed to pull themselves to shore, while the rest were recovered following a search and rescue operation by the Civil Protection Department and the Armed Forces of Malta.

Diver Marcus Kitching-Howe had recalled how he helped some of the distressed divers that day.

The tragedy had rocked the Maltese diving community, with some questioning why those involved in leading the divers chose to persist despite the difficult weather conditions they eventually found themselves in.