270kg of cocaine hidden in banana containers intercepted

May 25 2023

Following a profiling exercise at the Freeport Terminal, Customs Malta selected several container units for an X-ray scanning, two of which showed inconsistencies and were referred for a physical inspection.

The containers were loaded with bananas and were in transhipment from Ecuador to Koper, in Slovenia. With the assistance of police officers from the Drug Squad, Customs officers unloaded the cargo and retrieved 170 packets from one unit, and another 100 packets from the second unit all weighing 1kg each and containing a substance suspected to be cocaine.

The Duty Magistrate was informed, and an inquiry was appointed to report and investigate the case further.

#MaltaDaily

Rescue operation after person finds difficulty at Cirkewwa dive site

May 25 2023

Earlier this morning, the Malta Rescue Coordination Centre received a call through 112 by a civilian who reported a person in difficulty at a dive site close to Cirkewwa.

RCC Malta immediately dispatched its assets to the location, and successfully rescued the diver to safety.

The diver was handed over to medical personnel at Mġarr, Gozo, fur further assistance. All other divers from the same group have swum safely to shore and have been accounted for.

#MaltaDaily

261 suicides in Malta between 2013 and 2022

May 25 2023

Speaking in parliament, Health Minister Chris Fearne confirmed that there were 261 suicides between 2013 and 2022 in Malta.

Providing a table with the total amount, Fearne revealed that 26 individuals below age 25 took their own lives over 10 years.

Meanwhile, the age group of 25 and 34 saw 48 instances whereas the age group between 35 and 44 saw 58.

The 45 and 54 age group saw 50 instances, the 55 and 64 age group saw 46, the 65 and 74 age group saw 17 individuals and those aged over 75 saw 16 individuals.

34 suicides were recorded in 2015 and 2021, followed by 32 suicides in 2014. The year 2019 registered the lowest amount with 21 cases.

If you, or someone you know, require professional help related to mental health, please contact either 179 or 1770 or Kellimni.com.

#MaltaDaily

Massive jellyfish army floods San Tumas Bay

May 25 2023

A video and images shared by Facebook user Lino Axiak show a massive amount of purple jellyfish having flooded parts of San Tumas Bay.

The video was shared with audiences yesterday, racking up several reactions by locals awaiting for their time to jump into the water.

Many grew concerned about the amount of jellyfish spotted around the islands, saying that it could mean that summer 2023 might mean lots of stings and less swimming.

MaltaDaily had spoken to marine biologist Alan Deidun, who said that we should expect lower levels of stinging jellyfish as we get deeper into summer.

Deidun explained how winter of the previous year was more intense, with more rain and cold. This meant that the jellyfish hatched later and thus flooded the beaches during the summer.

Despite being slightly early to tell, this year indicates that jellyfish are already among us and could therefore not be present during summer 2023. This does not mean there won’t be any jellyfish, but a lesser amount can be expected Deidun explained.

#MaltaDaily