Updated 3.50 pm

Five divers were rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department on Tuesday after finding themselves in difficulty off Wied iż-Żurrieq.

The police said the alarm was raised at about noon.  

Two divers were rescued by helicopter and three were taken ashore by a CPD dinghy. One diver was taken to Mater Dei Hospital. No one was injured. 

In a joint statement, AFM and CPD said Red Cross volunteers alerted them that the five divers were in difficulty after they were dragged out to sea by strong currents and large waves.

The rescue was a difficult one because of the strong currents and winds.

The area is popular among divers, but there have been frequent incidents of divers being unable to get back to shore because of rough seas.

The most recent helicopter rescue from the area was in April, when two divers also found themselves in difficulty. 

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