The Mediterranean, our island’s backyard, has claimed another victim. This time, it’s not a migrant boat capsizing or a pleasure craft foundering, but a rescue diver, a Maltese son, lost in the depths while searching for two Italians who vanished without a trace.

The Diver’s Last Dive

Malta’s search and rescue efforts, renowned worldwide, took a heart-wrenching turn on Tuesday. The body of 44-year-old Maltese diver, Joseph Grech, was recovered from the sea near Comino, a tiny island between Malta and Gozo. Grech, a seasoned diver and rescue specialist with the Armed Forces of Malta, was part of the extensive search operation for two Italians, 32-year-old Andrea Colombo and 35-year-old Marco Trentin, who went missing while swimming off Comino on Sunday.

Grech’s last dive was a desperate plunge into the abyss, a selfless act to find the missing men. His body was found near the search area, close to the Santa Maria Caves, a popular diving spot on Comino’s southern coast. The news of his death through Malta’s tight-knit diving community, leaving many in disbelief and mourning.

The Search for the Missing Italians

The search for Colombo and Trentin continues, with teams from the AFM, Malta Police, and Civil Protection Department scouring the seas around Comino. The Italians, both experienced swimmers, were last seen around 5 pm on Sunday, swimming from the Blue Lagoon towards the Santa Maria Caves. When they didn’t return, their worried friends raised the alarm.

The search has been painstaking, with divers and snorkelers combing the crystal-clear waters, and aircraft and drones scanning the skies. The AFM has deployed its most advanced underwater search equipment, including side-scan sonars and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), to scour the seabed. Yet, despite these efforts, there’s been no sign of the missing men.

Malta Mourns a Hero

Malta is mourning Grech, a hero who gave his life in service of others. His funeral, a somber affair, was held at the Sacred Heart Church in Sliema, with hundreds of mourners paying their respects. Grech, a father of two, was laid to rest at the Addolorata Cemetery, his coffin draped in the Maltese flag.

Prime Minister Robert Abela paid tribute to Grech, saying, “Joseph Grech was a true hero. He gave his life in service of others, a testament to the best of Malta. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

The search for Colombo and Trentin continues, a grim reminder of the Mediterranean’s unforgiving nature. As Malta mourns Grech, it also hopes for a miracle, for the safe return of the two Italians.