Adriana Zammit, the architect behind the infamous Corradino building that collapsed, has said that Jean Paul Sofia contributed to his own death by being on site when he wasn’t supposed to be.

Times of Malta reported that Zammit, facing criminal charges of involuntary homicide, rejected allegations that she contributed to the 20-year-old’s death because she has always worked diligently.

She denied responsibility for the collapse, saying that it did not happen because of anything she had done or any omission.

Zammit is one of five charged over the death of Sofia, following the publication of a damning magisterial inquiry.

The others are developers Kurt Buhagiar and Matthew Schembri and contractors Milomir Jovicevic and Dijana Jovicevic.

They all also stand accused of causing injury to five workers who were on-site when everything came crumbling down in December 2022.

Sofia’s parents Isabella Bonnici and John Sofia, opened a civil case against Zammit and all those involved in the accident at Corridano, demanding compensation for the death of their only son.

Zammit, replying to the civil case, warned them not to pursue further action against her.

“[Zammit] has always performed her duties with the diligence expected of her and, therefore, the collapse was not due to any act or omission attributable to her but to the actions and shortcomings of third parties,” she said in response.

“In addition, there was also contributory negligence on the part of the victim since no one should have been at the place where the incident occurred while the roof concrete was being poured,” she added, insisting that the parents’ allegations were “unfounded in fact and at law”.

Workers have claimed that they never saw a woman on site, meaning they never saw the architect there.

It seems Zammit relied on photos sent to WhatsApp to check on the progress of the works.

A technical expert also reported evidence of structural design flaws and lousy workmanship, saying the construction job was amateurish.

Several parts of the building were not reinforced with metal as is usually done, a court-appointed professor in architecture said.

Moreover, the designs provided by the architect did not include a blueprint for the required steel reinforcement.

Prime Minister Robert Abela has announced the issuing of a Public Inquiry that will look into the systemic flaws that allowed a death like Sofia’s to occur.

This is pertinent when considering the obscene number of lives lost to the construction industry in Malta.

What do you make of Zammit’s statement?