The search for a 13-year-old Polish girl who was dragged into the sea in Ċirkewwa by a large wave on Monday afternoon was suspended on Tuesday night, resumed on Wednesday morning after being suspended for the night.
The Armed Forces of Malta, the Malta Police Force and the Civil Protection Department were conducting the search operations.
CPD Chief Assistance and Rescue Officer Mark Zammit told TVM that on Tuesday night, they noted wind picking up and couldn’t conduct an efficient operation, suspending it until Wednesday morning. CPD officials told this newsroom that it is difficult to conduct search operations at night, and it would also be dangerous for personnel to do so.
In comments to the media earlier in the day on Tuesday, Mark Zammit said that a pink jacket that was found on the rocks belongs to the girl. It was reportedly found close to the Sunset Viewpoint area
But there was no other trace of the girl found as yet.
In a statement on social media on Tuesday afternoon, the Malta Police Force said that despite adverse weather conditions, "this morning the Malta Police also deployed a RHIB to support the ongoing search efforts at sea."
The police also mentioned the jacked that was found, saying it "was later confirmed to belong to the girl."
The Malta Police Force said that it is also providing assistance through the Police Support Response Team, offering the necessary support to the girl's family during this difficult time. "While we sincerely thank the public for their understanding and appreciation towards all the rescue units involved, we kindly ask everyone to avoid the area, both for their own safety and to allow emergency services to continue their work effectively," the police said.
The girl's brother, a 17-year-old, as well as their father, were also swept away with the girl, by a massive wave that washed onto the area's south quay as they walked on the pavement.
The wave hit the father and the son against a wall, but swept the girl into the sea, as they stood towards the top part of the ramp used by cars to access the area. The girl's brother was rescued while the father sustained injuries trying to grab his daughter.
Rescuers told Times of Malta that the family, who were in Malta on holiday and staying in a hotel nearby, were at the top of the road that leads down to the Quay shortly after 6.15pm on Monday. A huge wave surprised them, and while the father and son were able to remain on land, the girl was swept away.
The search involved a helicopter and officials on the water.
In a statement about the search operation on its Facebook page on Tuesday, the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) said that after being alerted about the girl, the Rescue Coordination Centre deployed an Armed Forces of Malta helicopter together with maritime assets.
Personnel from the Civil Protection Department and the Malta Police Force also assisted by conducting additional searches from land.
After extensive coastal and area searches on Monday, the operation was stood down late in the night. Adverse weather conditions, including rough seas and strong winds, continued to create challenging circumstances for all responders involved. Search efforts then resumed on Tuesday morning at first light, the AFM said. The search was suspended again on Tuesday night and will resume on Wednesday morning.
Warnings were issued throughout the day on Monday about impending strong winds and rough seas.
