The delicate operation undergone by 14-year-old Ben, who was seriously injured in the tragic boat accident off Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, has been successfully completed.Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ian Borg confirmed the encouraging news in a Facebook post, revealing that he had been informed of the successful outcome by the medical team.“The medical team has just informed me that Ben’s operation has been completed successfully,” Borg wrote.He went on to thank the Maltese medical professionals involved in the procedure, as well as a surgeon who travelled from abroad to assist.“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our Maltese medical professionals, the surgeon who came from abroad, and everyone who has worked and will continue working to ensure that Ben receives the best possible care.”However, Borg stressed that the coming hours and days remain crucial for the teenager, with doctors continuing to closely monitor his condition.“The post-operative phase remains crucial, and we must therefore remain extremely vigilant, with the medical team closely monitoring his condition,” he said.Ben was among three people aboard a boat that ran aground on Sikka s-Safra, off Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, in an accident that tragically claimed the life of a 48-year-old man from Mellieħa. Another man, aged 44, was also seriously injured.Following the accident, Ben’s mother made a heartbreaking public appeal for prayers as her son fought for his life.“Fight Ben. Pls keep fighting as I can’t do life without you,” she wrote at the time.In a subsequent update, she confirmed that Ben was in a stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit, although she warned that he faced a long and difficult road to recovery.Earlier, EJ Vella also shared an emotional message as Ben prepared to undergo the critical operation, recalling how they had held hands and prayed together during a turbulent flight just weeks before.“Today, we face a different kind of turbulence. But this time, we are not praying alone. Thousands of people out there are sharing our prayers, hopes, and faith,” Vella wrote.Borg concluded his latest update by expressing solidarity with Ben and his family, while praising the dedication of Malta’s healthcare professionals.“Our thoughts are with Ben and his family. Together with the people of Malta and Gozo, we hope he makes a good recovery.”While the successful operation marks an encouraging development, Ben’s recovery remains at a critical stage as medical professionals continue to monitor his progress.Stay strong, Ben. Malta is rooting for you. •