Malta diver death investigation focuses on tuna entanglement

Investigators in Malta are looking into the death of Redeemer Grima, a 41-year-old professional diver who died during a dive at a tuna farm near St Paul’s Islands on Monday, August 10.

Authorities suspect that while Grima was working at a depth of approximately 30 metres, a large Atlantic bluefin tuna may have become entangled with a hook on his equipment. Reports indicate that Grima was found without his buoyancy control device (BCD) and diving tank, leading investigators to believe he may have ditched his gear in an attempt to escape the fish and swim to the surface, subsequently drowning.

In a notable development, a dead tuna weighing approximately 60kg was found with some of Grima’s diving equipment lodged in its mouth. A magisterial inquiry, along with investigations by the police and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), is currently ongoing to establish the exact sequence of events.