Malta diver may have died after entanglement with bluefin tuna

Investigators in Malta are examining whether a professional diver who died while working at a tuna farm off Malta might have been killed as a result of a tuna becoming entangled with his equipment.

Redeemer Grima, 41, from Rabat, was recovered from the water off St Paul’s Islands by the Armed Forces of Malta on Monday 10 August.

He was brought ashore at Buġibba, where a medical team attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Grima, who had worked as a professional diver for eight years, had carried out an earlier dive at the farm at 6 am, before beginning his second around 11 am. Local police said in a statement that they were first alerted to the incident around noon.

Sources close to the investigation told the Times of Malta that Grima was found without his BCD and tank, and that some of his dive gear was later discovered attached to the mouth of a dead tuna, which weighed around 60kg.

The fish kept by the farm are Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), a species found throughout the Mediterranean.

Adults can reach more than 3m in length and weigh more than 250kg, with the largest individuals recorded exceeding 3.5m and 600kg.

Investigators are examining the possibility that a hook which formed part of Grima’s equipment caught the fish while he was working at a depth of around 30 metres (98ft).

Although the sequence of events leading to his death has not been established, the Times of Malta reports that investigators think he may have attempted to escape the entanglement by ditching his equipment and swimming for the surface, but drowned during the attempt.

The tuna farming company for which Grima worked declined to comment on the circumstances of his death while investigations are still ongoing, but a spokesperson for the farm said he would be deeply missed.

‘Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt thoughts are with Mr Grima’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time,’ said the spokesperson.

‘He was a valued member of our team and will be deeply missed by all those who worked alongside him.’

Grima’s death is being investigated by both the Malta Police Force and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), while Magistrate Monica Borg Galea has announced a separate magisterial inquiry.

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