Updated 8.40pm
The Armed Forces and Civil Protection Department are looking for a 13-year-old Polish girl who fell into the sea at Ċirkewwa at around 6.15pm on Monday.
Sources told Times of Malta her brother also fell into the sea and was rescued, but the girl remains missing on Monday night.
Times of Malta can confirm the girl, a tourist staying in a nearby hotel, went to the south quay area with her father and brother, possibly to take photos of the rough sea, when the children were pulled into the water.
The father managed to rescue the boy, but was injured in the process.
A witness described the moment they fell into the water as being “swallowed up by the rough sea”.
The inclement weather in Ċirkewwa has forced the Gozo Channel to divert its operations via the Comino route.
The sea conditions at 7.30pm at Cirkewwa. Photo: Matthew MirabelliTimes of Malta is informed that the sea conditions are rough and quite dangerous for rescuers. Although the rescuers are well-equipped for the dark and the rough sea, they fear the waves might have pushed the girl against the rocky coast.
The Met Office issued a yellow warning about west northwest wind, that will become northwest and which is expected to be strong to very strong across the islands.
Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Rescuers at Cirkewwa. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli