In the early hours of Tuesday, the usually quiet streets of Birkirkara echoed with the sudden clatter of collapsing metal. The source? A scaffolding structure giving way at the local recycling facility, leaving three workers injured and the community shaken.

The incident occurred around 7:30 AM at the Birkirkara Recycling Facility, located on Triq il-Kbira. Emergency services rushed to the scene, finding three workers trapped under the debris. They were promptly extracted and transported to Mater Dei Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with recycling bins scattering across the street and dust filling the air. “I was just driving by and suddenly, I saw the scaffolding come crashing down,” said one eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse. While it’s too early to point fingers, speculation is rife that the scaffolding may have been compromised by recent heavy rain or improper maintenance.

“We’re looking into all possibilities,” said an OHSA spokesperson. “Safety is our top priority, and we’ll leave no stone unturned in our investigation.”

The collapse has temporarily halted operations at the facility, with recycling collections in the area suspended until further notice. The local council has assured residents that collections will resume as soon as the facility is deemed safe.

“We understand the inconvenience this may cause,” said a council spokesperson. “But safety must come first. We’re working closely with the facility to ensure a swift resolution.”

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to store their recycling until collections resume. The council has also set up a temporary collection point at the Birkirkara Parish Centre.

The incident has sparked a wave of concern and support from the Birkirkara community. A fundraising campaign has been launched to support the injured workers and their families, with many locals chipping in.

“It could have been any one of us,” said Maria, a local resident. “We’re just glad everyone’s okay. We’ll do whatever we can to help.”