Tourist injured after stand-up paddleboard capsizes at Għar Marija cave
The Australian man sustained minor head injuries
A tourist was left with minor head injuries after their stand-up paddleboard (SUP) capsized at the Għar Marija cave, also known as Ta' Marija cave, in Mġarr on Monday.
The 50-year-old Australian national was in a stable condition following the accident, a spokesperson for the attending Malta Red Cross said. The man received treatment at the scene and did not require further medical attention.
Another Australian man was also on the SUP but did not require medical attention.
Red Cross personnel reached the popular tourist spot by jet ski.
The capsizing comes less than a week after civil protection officers and Malta’s armed forces rescued two foreign nationals from the same cave.
Thursday’s operation saw rescue swimmers from the Civil Protection Department attend to the stranded pair, with an Armed Forces Malta helicopter hovering overhead to winch them to safety.
The owner of a watersports company in Ġnejna recently defended putting up a sign in the cave advertising a 'sea taxi' service, saying he affixed the sign to assist stranded tourists.
The week before the outcry, 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 on foot. The post attracted more than 16,000 likes on Instagram.