Two people rescued after becoming stranded at Għar Marija cave in Mġarr
Thursday was buffeted by strong winds and choppy seas
Updated 9.13pm
Civil protection officers and Malta’s armed forces rescued two foreign nationals who became trapped at Għar Marija cave, also known as Ta' Marija cave, in Mġarr on Thursday evening.
Rescue swimmers from the Civil Protection Department (CPD) attended the stranded pair, with an Armed Forces Malta (AFM) helicopter hovering overhead to winch them to safety, sources said.
Flight tracking data from around 8.20pm showed an AFM helicopter circling the secluded picturesque spot popular with swimmers and kayakers.
The foreign nationals were expected to be taken to hospital for further assessment following the operation.
Winds were expected to climb up to Force 6 today, according to the latest Met Office forecast available on the Malta International Airport website.
The Gozo-based Emergency Response Rescue Corps warned the public to take extra care if planning to head to the coast, in a Facebook post yesterday.
Discouraging swimming and snorkelling in areas affected by the strong west-northwest winds, the rescue corps warned that choppy seas should be expected along the coast.
Last week, the owner of a watersports company in Ġnejna defended putting up a sign in the cave advertising a 'sea taxi' service, saying he affixed it to help people who became stranded there.
The week before the outcry over the sign, three hikers had to be rescued from the area by the CPD and AFM.
In May, content creator John Montaño posted a video on social media providing directions on how to get to the picturesque cave from Ġnejna.