Each year, thousands of young ELT students descend on the island of Malta to enjoy English language learning in a holiday environment, but the Times of Malta reports that eight people, including four ELT students, have suffered spinal injuries in July alone after jumping from high rocks in Cominotto, in the beautiful Blue Lagoon area of Malta.

“We’ve ended up like a cash-and-carry with the number of injured youngsters,” Emergency and Response Rescue Corps (ERRC) operations officer, Charles Micallef, told the Sunday Times of Malta.

Students aged 14, 15, 20 and 25 were among eight people known to have been injured by ERRC, which reported that some injuries sustained necessitated an operation.

Micallef urged tourist agencies to warn clients of the dangers of jumping into the sea, while pointing out that there is already a sign post on Cominotto warning of the dangers.

Francis Stivala, ELT Schools Representative on the Ministry of Education Monitoring Board, explained that the pro-active role of the board meant they had already been in touch with all schools to underline strict safety guidance following the incident, reinforcing advice given in a pre-season briefing.

“All of us were very sorry to learn of the injuries suffered by these young and daring students who challenge each other in front of their peers, momentarily forgetting about the repeated warnings from their schools and group leaders,” he said.

“All of us were very sorry to learn of the injuries suffered by these young and daring students who challenge each other in front of their peers”

“A reminder with our regrets at the incident was circulated to all schools the following day of the incident highlighting the Monitoring Board’s pro-active stance in advocating safe environments for all EFL students and once again calling upon all schools to take the necessary precautions. Some schools in return informed that they adjusted their free-time programme destinations to avoid such perceived dangers.”

Stivala underlined that the incidents, while regrettable, were rare occurences in a peak season that can see 23,000 ELT students in Malta in July alone (2012 statistics).

“If one keeps in mind Malta’s popularity and high concentration of junior students over the summer months, one will readily understand that these efforts are in fact taken seriously and adhered to by the very vast majority of students.”

School association FELTOM noted that an increased interest in cliff diving could be traced to a a professionally shot video of cliff diving in Malta which went viral on social media sites. “FELTOM and its member schools have always highlighted the risks associated with cliff diving and will continue to do so,” a spokesperson told The PIE News.

“Although group leaders do keep a watchful eye on students during their excursions, it is ultimately a question of individual responsibility. Having said this, FELTOM is committed to continue raising awareness about the risks involved in cliff diving.”