Emergency services rushed to a busy street in St. Julian’s on Tuesday afternoon after receiving reports of a man falling down a lift shaft. The four-storey plunge left the man, a 35-year-old local resident, with serious injuries.

Rescue Operation at St. Julian’s Apartment Block

The incident occurred at around 2 PM at an apartment block on Triq il-Kbira, St. Julian’s main street. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud thud and seeing the man lying motionless at the bottom of the lift shaft. Fire and rescue services, along with an ambulance, arrived promptly at the scene.

Firefighters had to carefully extract the man from the shaft, a process that took around 45 minutes. He was then transported to Mater Dei Hospital, where his condition is described as stable but serious.

Investigation Launched into Lift Malfunction

The incident has sparked an investigation into the lift’s safety mechanisms. Preliminary reports suggest that the lift’s safety door may have malfunctioned, allowing the man to fall through. The lift has been temporarily shut down pending further investigation.

St. Julian’s Mayor, Gino De Marco, expressed his concern, “We’re deeply shocked by this incident. We’re working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors.”

Lift Safety in Malta: A Growing Concern?

This incident raises questions about lift safety in Malta. According to the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), there are over 1,500 lifts in Malta, many of which are in residential buildings. While regular inspections are mandatory, some experts argue that the frequency and thoroughness of these inspections need to be reviewed.

Dr. Joseph Mizzi, a civil engineer specializing in lift safety, commented, “We need to ensure that our lifts are up to the highest safety standards. This means regular, thorough inspections and prompt maintenance when issues are identified.”

In the meantime, residents of the St. Julian’s apartment block where the incident occurred are left shaken. “We’re all on edge,” said one resident who wished to remain anonymous. “We use these lifts every day. We need to know they’re safe.”