Poland's deputy PM thanks Malta for support after Ċirkewwa drowning

Poland's deputy prime minister has thanked Malta for its support after a 13-year-old girl died when she was swept out to sea this week.

Radoslaw Sikorski, who is also foreign minister, thanked the public and those who took part in the three-day search and recovery operation.

The body of Oliwia Wojnowska was found by divers on Wednesday following a search that also involved boats, helicopters, drones, army, police and members of the Civil Protection Department. 

Sikorski made his comments during a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Thursday, according to foreign minister Ian Borg.

"In Brussels, the Polish Minister has just addressed the Chamber to thank the Authorities and all the Maltese people for their assistance and efforts towards the Polish family involved in this week's tragic incident in Ċirkewwa," Borg wrote on Facebook.

The young girl, her father, 49, and her brother, 17, were walking behind railings when a large wave swept her away on Monday evening during bad weather.

Her father sustained injuries trying to grab her. 

Members of the Civil Protection Department, Armed Forces of Malta, police, emergency services and Transport Malta were all involved in the searches conducted both on land and on sea. 

The family was behind this rail when a large wave swept the girl into the sea. Divers found her body close to where she disappeared. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

A drone operator spotted the teenager’s pink jacket on the rocks close to nearby Sunset Viewpoint facing Paradise Bay on Tuesday afternoon, almost 24 hours after the incident. Divers found her body the following morning.

The girl and her family were in Malta on holiday from Poland, staying at the nearby Paradise Bay Hotel. 

On Sunday, the Polish Community in Malta will hold a memorial service and a holy mass for the child. The mass will take place at 10.30am at St John Bosco Chapel in Sliema.

After the mass, the community will go to the site of the tragedy in Ċirkewwa to lay wreaths and light candles.

A helicopter was deployed as part of the search. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The incident has sparked calls for warning signs to be erected in the area, which has a history of powerful waves crashing on to land. 

Mellieħa mayor Gabriel Micallef said the area was notorious for large waves due to both the prevailing winds and the orientation of the quay.

“The waves often go over the walls of the quay with such strength that they cover the pavements and road," he said.

"In 2024, there were instances when parked cars were dragged away, and barriers were installed to prevent this from happening,” he said, describing Monday’s incident as a frightening tragedy.

Divers eventually recovered the body. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

It was the second time in three months that a child drowned at sea while on holiday in Malta.

In November, a father and son from the UK drowned in Ramla Bay after getting into difficulties swimming there.