Yesterday, Jum it-Tragedja was commemorated with a wreath laying ceremony to mark the 62nd anniversary of one of the worst sea tragedies, which caused the drowning of 23 persons near the shores of Gozo as they were crossing from Malta to Gozo on the 30th of October 1948.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, presided over the event. Wreaths were placed at the monument commemorating this event at the Zewwieqa Waterfront, Mgarr. The ceremony continued with mass celebrated by Canon Joseph Zammit, Archpriest of Qala, aboard one of the Gozo Channel ferries, on the site of the shipwreck.

As a sign of respect, relatives of some of the victims, as well as distinguished guests, all cast flowers into the sea at the spot where the tragedy occurred.

The drowning, which was the worst post war sea tragedy in Gozo, occurred when notwithstanding severe weather conditions, a luzzu tried to make the crossing from Marfa to Gozo, carrying several passengers amongst whom were two policemen, a woman and two members of the crew. This crossing was abruptly brought to an end when the boat overturned as it was near Hondoq ir-Rummien bay, only four of the passengers survived by swimming over to the shore.

Gozo has been recalled to the 62 anniversary of one of the worst sea tragedies occurred near Gozo and that led to 23 people lost their lives during a tragic voyage between Malta and Gozo on 30 October 1948.

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