Malta & Gozo

Arthur Castillo had his conviction quashed after the court gave a different interpretation to the “buddy system” which had been a crucial factor in his previous conviction
Arthur Castillo had his conviction quashed after the court gave a different interpretation to the “buddy system” which had been a crucial factor in his previous conviction

Appeals court clears diver of involuntary manslaughter of diving buddy

On Friday 25 November 2022, a lower court found diver Arthur Castillo, 60, guilty of the involuntary homicide of his long-time dive buddy Christine Gauci, who died following a dive in Mgarr ix-Xini, a bay on the southern coast of Gozo in January 2020. Gauci was an Armed Forces of Malta member, diving instructor and technical diver.

In a ruling that caused outrage in the diving community, the lower court handed Castillo a two-year jail term suspended for four years, which was immediately appealed.

St. Andrews Divers Cove

At St. Andrew's Divers Cove, we feel honoured and privileged to be situated in Xlendi Bay, one of Malta and Gozo's most picturesque fishing villages, a stone's throw from the water's edge. Our bay is ideal for beginner dives, night dives and dive courses.

Was justice served or perverted?

Implications of Maltese Court Ruling on Diving Fatality

On Friday 25 November, diver Arthur Castillo, 60, was found guilty of the involuntary homicide of his long-time dive buddy Christine Gauci who died following a dive in Mgarr ix-Xini, a bay on the southern coast of Gozo in January 2020. Ms Gauci was an Armed Forces of Malta member, diving instructor and technical diver.

The court handed Mr. Castillo a two-year jail term suspended for four years, pronouncing itself convinced that this case did not merit effective imprisonment. Castillo told Times of Malta he will be appealing the judgment but declined further comment.

Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia (left) visited the Hyperbaric Unit in Gozo that is once again fully operational
Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia (left) visited the Hyperbaric Unit in Gozo that is once again fully operational

Deco chamber on Gozo now operational

This service both sustain the diving industry in Gozo and also serves to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy to the Gozo General Hospital patients.

The Ministry for Health is also planning to train two further doctors in hyperbaric medicine at the GGH.