RESCUE OPERATION FROM CESSPIT AT PARADISE BAY

RESCUE OPERATION FROM CESSPIT AT PARADISE BAY

This morning at 12.01 hours, the AFM Rescue Co-Ordination Centre at Luqa received a call from a Gozo Channel Company employee stating that the Master of the vessel Calypso had reported that a number of persons were trapped in a cesspit near the Paradise Bay Hotel.

Immediately after this information was received, AFM dispatched an Alouette Helicopter and the SAR boat Melita II together with Patrol craft P23 to assist. The Civil Protection Department was also alerted and they dispatched a Rescue Team to the area.

At 12.19 hours, the AFM helicopter was on the scene of the accident, after finding the exact location of the cesspit, which from initial reports was not clearly identified. The helicopter crew recovered one of four injured persons who was unconscious and was conveyed to St. Luke's Hospital at 12.37 hours. A second male casualty was conveyed to SLH in an ambulance.

On returning to the scene of the accident at 12.52 hours, the helicopter crew was informed by the Health authorities that the two other casualties had passed away, presumably having been overcome by the fumes inside the cesspit. Patrol Craft P 23 as well as SAR Melita II were also on the scene of the accident to provide back up during the rescue operation.

The Duty Magistrate as well as Police officials were on the site to conduct an Inquiry.

27.01.2000