Gozo commemorated the 66th anniversary of Jum it-Tragedja, in a ceremony held this morning.
This was one of the worst sea tragedies in Gozo, 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 ceremony was presided over by Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo, and took place on board the MV Gaudos on the site of the shipwreck.
It included a Mass celebrated by Fr Joe Cini. At the end of the this morning’s ceremony, as a sign of remembrance and respect, the Minister for Gozo, relatives of some of the victims, as well as distinguished guests, cast flowers into the sea at the spot where the tragedy occurred.
Also present for the occasion were Dr Franco Mercieca and Ms Mercieca, the Mayor of Ghajnsielem Frans Cauchi, the Ambassador of UNESCO Mgr Joe Vella Gauci, Chairman of the Gozo Cultural Council Guido Vella, Director of the Customer Services Directorate of the Ministry for Gozo Joyce Farrugia, Chairman of Gozo Channel Joe Cordina and former Speaker Anton Tabone and Mrs Tabone.
This accident, which is the greatest tragedy that occurred in Gozo after World War II, occurred when notwithstanding severe weather conditions, a luzzu tried to make the crossing from Marfa to Gozo, carrying several passengers among 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.
The remembrance of this event, is commemorated every year with a programme which is coordinated by the National and Regional Celebrations Committee within the Ministry for Gozo.
Photograhs: MGOZ/George Scerri
1 Comment To "66th anniversary of Gozo sea tragedy commemorated this morning"
#1 Comment By Walter Sultana On November 2, 2014 @ 11:46 pm
I REMEMBER THIS DAY VERY WELL ,AND I CANNOT FORGET IT ,BECAUSE MY UNCLE EMANUAL LELI SULTANA MIX -XAGHRA 28 YEARS OLD TA SAN GORG WAS WITH THEM , HE KNEW HOW TO SWIM LIKE A FISH , BUT HE STILL LOST HIS LIFE WITH THEM . LUCKY THAT MY FATHER MADE IT to GOZO , ON THE previous TRIP . I REMEMBER MY FATHER SAYING THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE THE NEXT BOAT TO BE WITH HIS BROTHER LELI . LUCKY HE TOOK THE PREVIOUS BOAT . IT SEEMS TO ME IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY . MAY ALL REST IN PEACE . WALTER FROM XAGHRA ………..