Portelli Company Clarifies Works Were Ongoing – But Not Next to Collapsed Paceville Building
A company owned by developer Joseph Portelli is facing scrutiny over claims that construction works on a site next to a collapsed Paceville apartment block were halted on 7th May.
The Tania Flats building crumbled late on Wednesday night, just hours after 32 residents were evacuated due to safety concerns.
Momentum chairperson Arnold Cassola accused Portelli’s company, Excel Investments, of “lying through its teeth” when claiming that works had stopped next to the building nearly a month before the collapse. The party released two videos it says show ongoing works on 27th May and 2nd June.
Videos Raise Questions About Timeline
In response, a spokesperson for Excel clarified to the media that while works directly next to Tania Flats had been completed by 7th May, construction elsewhere on the site continued. “Keep in mind it’s a large site,” the spokesperson said.
The construction zone spans the intersection of Triq Paceville and Triq Gort and was previously home to the popular Avenue restaurant. Developers were granted clearance in late March to carry out demolition works as part of a permit for a 125-room hotel. A separate planning application proposes instead building residential apartments.
Excel Says Collapse Not Their Fault
Excel maintains that its activity did not cause the collapse and insists that no construction took place immediately next to the building after May 7. It claims CCTV footage collected by police will confirm this.
“Excel Group categorically denies the false, malicious and libellous claims by Arnold Cassola that works adjacent to the collapsed Tania Flats continued after May 7,” the company said in a statement. “This is very easy to verify through CCTV footage.”
The company also claimed its architect played a key role in saving lives by noticing structural shifts in the neighbouring block and insisting on its evacuation.
Officials held a meeting earlier this week, during which it was noted that the building had existing structural weaknesses. A precautionary stop notice was issued soon after.
Calls for Accountability
Momentum is calling for “zero tolerance” toward developers who, it says, endanger lives and “lie to cover up” their actions.
“Developers who play about with people’s lives and lie to cover up must be banned from continuing to risk our lives,” the party said.
Authorities confirmed that all residents were safely evacuated and provided with alternative accommodation and support following the collapse.