A 26-year-old jet skier died when Malta's famed "Kissing Elephants" rock formation collapsed on him Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. as the tourist was riding his jet ski beneath the natural arch, according to The Times of Malta.
The formation's collapse pinned the jet skier underwater. His 27-year-old female companion sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized. The jet skier and his companion were reportedly on vacation. Neither has been publicly identified.
In the moments preceding the collapse, a 32-year-old American tourist was reported to have jumped from the rock formation. This tourist was rescued by a passing boat and did not require hospitalization.
The "Kissing Elephants" was a well-known natural landmark that had attracted visitors for decades. Outdoor Explorers Malta, a tour group, described the event as "an immeasurable tragedy."
