'I affixed ad onto Ġnejna cave to help stranded people': watersports owner

The owner of a watersports company in Ġnejna said he stuck a sign to the nearby Għar Marija cave to help people who became stranded after walking there on foot. 

Godwin Vassallo, the owner of Ġnejna Watersports, told Times of Malta he had affixed the sign, which includes the company’s number, to the outer wall of the cave three days ago, but removed it on Wednesday morning following outcry on social media. 

“A few weeks ago, someone made a video showing people how to get to the cave on foot, but it’s misleading because it’s a longer and harder walk than he makes it out to be, especially in the summer heat. So people arrive there and then either don’t remember how to get back or are too tired to make the return journey,” Vassallo said. 

“I put the sign up because people who rented kayaks from us were coming back and saying there were people stranded there, so I would go out with a boat to pick them up,” he said.

Last week, three hikers had to be rescued from the area by the Civil Protection Department and the Armed Forces of Malta.

A photo sent by Vassallo to show that the sign had been removed.

Vassallo was referring to a video posted on social media in May by content creator John Montaño, which gives directions on how to get to the picturesque cave from Ġnejna. 

In the text accompanying the video, Montaño includes the disclaimer that “this is not a casual beach walk. This is a coastal route that needs focus, balance, and patience".

Vassallo acknowledged that while the sign was intended to help people, he had made a mistake by affixing it to the cave and understood people’s anger. 

“We’ve been operating here for 35 years so we don’t need to put adverts in the cave,” he said.