Watch: Victoria Building Collapses Following Heavy Rain In Gozo
A building partially collapsed in Victoria, Gozo, on Saturday afternoon following heavy rainfall that affected the Maltese Islands earlier in the day.
The incident occurred shortly before 6 pm on Triq Pawlu Portelli, when the foundation of a residence gave way, causing part of the structure to crash down into an adjacent construction site. No injuries or missing persons were reported.
Emergency services, including officers from the Civil Protection Department and the police, rushed to the scene. Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution while safety checks were carried out. The neighbouring site had been excavated and prepared for construction.
This marks the second building collapse reported in Malta this year, following a similar case in Paceville on 11th June.
In a statement, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) said they are investigating the incident. As a precautionary measure, the authorities, together with Civil Protection officers and the police, evacuated some people from nearby residences. An order was also issued for all works to be suspended until the necessary investigations are carried out.
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The full extent of the damage is yet to be established. The structures that collapsed had long been abandoned and were earmarked for demolition as part of the construction project. A private home for the elderly is scheduled to be built on the site, which lies across two roads: Triq Pawlu Portelli and Triq San Ġwann Bosco. No works were under way at the site when the incident happened.
On Saturday, heavy rain lashed down on Gozo, and it is understood the building may have collapsed after the waterlogged clay ground gave way.
Officials from the Building and Construction Authority and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority are carrying out an investigation into the incident. In a joint statement issued on Saturday evening, the BCA and OHSA said they have issued a stop-works notice on the site until investigations are carried out.
This is the second building to collapse adjacent to a construction site this year. In June, a multi-storey block of apartments in the heart of Paceville collapsed just hours after 32 student residents were evacuated due to safety concerns.
More details to follow
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