The man who died in a rock climbing accident at Wied Fulija, Żurrieq, last Sunday has been identified as Daniel Fransson, the 55-year-old Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and member of the Executive Management team at Swiss engineering company Schlatter Industries AG.

The company confirmed his death in a statement, saying that Mr Fransson had died in an accident while on holiday.

Police received a report of the accident at approximately 2.50pm, prompting an emergency response involving the Civil Protection Department, the Armed Forces of Malta, the Police and medical personnel from Mater Dei Hospital.

Rescue operations were complicated by the difficult terrain and limited accessibility of the area where the couple had fallen.

Mr Fransson was found unconscious with multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, despite the woman's efforts to administer first aid.

Mr Fransson had been appointed Head of Technology and a member of the Group Management team at Schlatter Industries AG in 2023, following an extensive career with the Schlatter Group.

A mechanical engineering graduate, he had held various management and project management positions within the Group's Swiss operations over the preceding 21 years.

In its announcement, Schlatter Industries acknowledged Mr Fransson's contribution to the company's technological development, describing his death as the loss of a key member of its leadership team.

The company's Board of Directors and Executive Management extended their condolences to his family, adding that details regarding his successor would be communicated in due course.

The Schlatter Group specialises in plant engineering, particularly resistance welding systems and weaving and finishing equipment used in the production of paper machine clothing, wire fabrics and wire mesh.