Dozens of drone pilots are expected to join the search for Mark Petric, 21, and Nick Johnson, 19, two young men who went missing on Saturday and were last seen riding their bikes around Rabat. 

Relatives of the missing boys have called drone pilots to meet tomorrow at 8am at Blue Grotto car park to coordinate the search. Efforts to try and fly drones today were unsuccessful due to the strong winds.

“We need as many of you as possible,” one coordinator wrote on Facebook. “The AFM have asked us to search especially the coves and caves which they could not get into with their vessels due to rough seas.”

The drones will be flown across the area from Fomm ir-Riħ to Żurrieq. Anybody who sees something that may be of interest to the search should call 112 immediately.

News of the two boys going missing spread on Saturday after two bags carrying clothes, shoes and two mobile phones were found by fisherman around Blata tal-Melħ at 5am.

Mark Petric was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with Vegan written on it, dark blue shorts, yellow sneakers and a white helmet. Nick Johnson wasn’t wearing a helmet and wore a grey hoodie black shorts and black sneakers, according to descriptions shared online. 

Malta this weekend experienced strong winds and rough seas, raising fears that the boys may have found themselves in difficulty while swimming.

Share this with someone who has a drone!

READ NEXT: Search Is On For Two Young Men Who Went Missing This Weekend

Chris Peregin

Christian is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who founded Lovin Malta, a new media company dedicated to creating positive impact in society. He is passionate about justice, public finances and finding ways to build a better future.