Tributes have been pouring in after it was announced that the diver who lost her life this morning in Gozo was a soldier with the Armed Forces of Malta.

Christine Gauci passed away earlier today while scuba diving at Mġarr ix-Xini. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, Gauci was pronounced dead on the scene.

Minister for Home Affairs, National Security & Law Enforcement Byron Camilleri took to Twitter to pay his respects to the AFM soldier.

 

I have been informed that the person who died in Gozo while practicing the sport of diving is an @Armed_Forces_MT soldier. Condolences to her family & all her colleagues.

— Byron Camilleri (@byroncamilleri) January 18, 2020

 

The Armed Forces of Malta charged its Facebook icon to one of mourning.

 

The La Stella band club, which Gauci formed part of, said it was in mourning following the tragic news.

 

Teatru Astra in Victoria described her as "one of our own".

One of her AFM friends and colleagues also expressed his shock.

"You were a sincere, energetic and very adventurous woman with a heart of gold," wrote George Joseph Borg.

"You had urged me to join the AFM, you had given me the courage which I will never forget."