A 25-year-old man from Gwynedd, North Wales, has tragically died following a fall from a hotel balcony while on holiday in Malta. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning in the resort town of St Julian, where emergency services were called to the scene at around 4.15am. Despite the rapid response from paramedics, the young man was declared dead at the location.
The man has been formally identified as Keiran Thomas, who hailed from Bangor. Local police in Malta are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall, which reportedly occurred at the Cavalieri Art Hotel, located on Triq Spinola. Investigators are working to determine exactly how the incident unfolded, although their initial statement suggests Mr Thomas fell from an upper floor of the hotel.
Keiran’s passing has sent ripples of shock and sadness through his local community and beyond. The street outside the hotel was briefly shut as Maltese authorities attended the scene; it was later reopened following the removal of Mr Thomas’s body. The investigation into the circumstances by the Malta police is ongoing, and official updates are expected as inquiries continue.
Mr Thomas’s family, devastated by the sudden loss, have spoken publicly to honour his memory. His father, Alan Hughes, described the heartbreak they are facing and thanked the public, friends, and family for their kind words of support during this dark time. Alan Hughes revealed that Keiran was not only a dedicated son and brother, but also a twin who had recently embarked on a promising career as a software engineer.
“It is impossible to put into words the pain we are experiencing,” Mr Hughes said in an interview with the BBC. “Keiran was a bright young man with so much ahead of him. The support we have received has meant a great deal to us.”
Community leaders and political representatives from North Wales have offered their condolences to the family. Sian Gwenllian, Member of Parliament for Arfon, labelled the death as “truly devastating”, acknowledging the profound shock and sorrow felt by friends and neighbours alike. She extended her sympathies to those grieving, expressing that such loss resonates deeply with all who knew Keiran or were touched by the tragedy.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd’s MP, Liz Saville Roberts, also issued a statement recognising the heartbreak endured by Keiran’s loved ones. She conveyed that her thoughts were firmly with the family during what she described as an “extremely difficult time”, highlighting the supportive spirit of the local Welsh community.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed they are working in conjunction with the Maltese authorities to ensure the family receives all necessary assistance. A spokesperson reiterated that consular staff are in contact with both the family and officials on the island, offering ongoing support as the investigation develops.
Deaths abroad are traumatic for families and communities; the sense of helplessness is often compounded by the distance and unfamiliar surroundings. Incidents such as this bring to the fore important discussions around holiday safety, duty of care, and support structures for bereaved relatives.
As the investigation in Malta proceeds, friends, colleagues, and relatives have begun sharing tributes to Keiran Thomas, describing him as intelligent, kind-hearted, and deeply missed. The impact of his sudden death abroad continues to be felt across Gwynedd and beyond, as the community unites in mourning and remembrance. The authorities have urged anyone with potential information about the incident to come forward as they work to provide answers for the grieving family.