Malta’s building authority has stepped in and halted works being carried out in Xagħra, Gozo, after investigating the case following media reports.

Speaking to Lovin Malta, a spokesperson for the Building and Construction Authority said that though no complainants filed a report over the work – which went viral after one family shared footage of the “damage” their home had received allegedly as a result of the work – officers inspected the site to ensure all processes were according to law.

The story was first revealed by Newsbook.

“Building Inspectors within the Authority found out that excavation works were not carried out in full accordance with the submitted method statement and as approved by the Authority. Hence, the Authority issued an enforcement notice and works stopped.”

The BCA said it would continue to crack down on developers who were not strictly following health and safety guidelines.

“The Building and Construction Authority will continue to pay close attention to construction sites and remind developers and contractors to comply with the Building and Construction Authority laws and follow method statements submitted by the project architects.”

Following the publishing of the original story revealing what the family – who said they feared being “buried alive” were facing, one person on site reached out to Lovin Malta to deny the family’s claims.

The person told Lovin Malta that planning authorities had been on site and approved it as safe to work.

They also said that the man in question had no evidence that the damage on his roof had appeared recently, and that buildings closer to the construction site had not reported any damage.

 

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This case comes on the same day that the Public Inquiry into the death of 20-year-old Jean Paul Sofia kicks off, looking into construction and development processes that could lead to harm, and even death, across Maltese work sites.

Anyone who would like to report inconveniences caused by construction work can do so by sending an e-mail on [email protected] or calling on 80049000.