Rock Arch Collapses in Malta: Footage Emerges of the Moments a Chinese Tourist Lost Their Life

The natural rock arch located off the coast of Comino, an island affiliated with Malta, collapsed unexpectedly on Saturday evening. In this tragic incident, a 26-year-old Chinese tourist passing under the arch on a jet ski lost their life. Security forces and divers dispatched to the area immediately after the incident made an intensive effort to find the tourist trapped under the heavy rocks. Authorities who arrived at the scene took extensive security measures to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of those nearby. This disaster caused great shock and sorrow among both locals and tourists.

New footage, unrelated to the incident but previously recorded by a jet ski driver, has caused a massive stir on social media. The footage in question was filmed in detail from the lower part of the rock formation that has now collapsed. The person who recorded the footage states that they frequently pass through this area and that the arch is a popular transit route for jet skiers and canoeists. These recordings reveal how popular and potentially dangerous the area where the accident occurred can be. Authorities believe that security standards in the region need to be reassessed in order to prevent similar tragedies.

In an official statement made by the police, the identity of the deceased and the exact time the incident occurred were confirmed. Accordingly, the accident occurred around 19.00 in the evening when the arch suddenly collapsed. A 27-year-old female Chinese tourist, who was on the same jet ski as the deceased 26-year-old male Chinese tourist, was severely injured. The injured woman was immediately taken to Gozo General Hospital for treatment. Authorities stated that the female tourist is not in life-threatening condition and that her condition is stable.

It was also learned that another tourist in the area during the incident survived by chance. According to the information, a 32-year-old American tourist had jumped from the rock arch just before it completely collapsed. The American tourist, who fell into the water as the arch collapsed, was rescued by a private boat passing through the area. Authorities stated that this tourist sustained only minor injuries and did not need to be treated at any hospital. If the young tourist had missed that moment and remained under the arch, the consequences could have been much more tragic.

Divers from the Malta Armed Forces reached the body of the deceased tourist trapped under heavy rocks in the water. However, due to the difficult conditions, the rescue and body recovery efforts progressed quite slowly. In the operations restarted on Sunday, it was announced that the previously attempted inflatable airbag method had failed. Civil Protection Department officials stated that in order to recover the victim's body from the water, the massive rocks must first be dismantled using heavy cranes and lifting equipment. Judge Monica Vella took over the investigation regarding the incident and launched a detailed inquiry, while authorities continue their research into the matter.