Search still on for missing fisherman

The search for Albert Saliba, 70, of Zurrieq, who went missing while fishing near Wied iz-Zurrieq on Thursday morning, continued without success yesterday.

A father of four and grandfather of seven, Mr Saliba was swept out to sea by a wave when he was fishing from shore with his son Norman in an area known as iz-Zellieq at about 2.30 a.m.

The incident was reported to the police by the son who saw his father being carried away by a high wave as he was pulling a fishing line from the sea.

Taking part in the search yesterday were Armed Forces of Malta Bulldog light aircraft and helicopters. AFM divers also joined in the search after reaching the area in a dinghy. Members of the Civil Protection Department and the police were also on the spot to help in the search. Two privately engaged divers also assisted.

Relatives and close friends of the Saliba family spent the day scouring the sea surface with binoculars for any signs of the body.

The sea yesterday remained rough, making the search more difficult.

The search is expected to continue today.

One of the missing man's nephews said the family had engaged a team of six divers to help in the search today.

Sources close to the search party said the search was difficult because of the prevailing currents in the area.

The possibility that the body of the missing man might have been caught under a reef close to the shore was also being considered, the sources said.