It was a scene of chaos and concern at the Birkirkara recycling facility this morning as scaffolding suddenly collapsed, leaving several workers injured. The incident, which occurred just before 10 am, through the local community and raised serious questions about workplace safety.

Emergency Services Rush to the Scene

Within minutes of the collapse, emergency services were on site, tending to the injured and ensuring the area was secure. The Malta Red Cross and Civil Protection Department worked swiftly to stabilise the situation, with some workers being treated on the spot while others were transported to Mater Dei Hospital for further evaluation.

Witnesses described the scene as “terrifying,” with debris scattered across the yard and workers crying out in pain. “I’ve never seen anything like it,” said one nearby resident who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s a miracle no one was seriously hurt.”

Investigation Launched into Cause of Collapse

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has launched an investigation into the cause of the scaffolding collapse. In a statement, OHSA said, “Our inspectors are on site to determine the cause of this incident and to ensure that all necessary safety measures are in place.”

This is not the first time that safety concerns have been raised at the Birkirkara recycling plant. In 2019, the facility was fined €5,000 by OHSA for failing to provide adequate safety measures for its workers. Today’s incident has once again brought these concerns to the forefront.

Union Calls for Stricter Safety Measures

The General Workers’ Union (GWU) has called for stricter safety measures to be implemented at the recycling plant and across all workplaces in Malta. In a statement, GWU said, “We cannot afford to have another incident like this. We call on all employers to prioritise the safety of their workers and for the authorities to ensure that these measures are enforced.”

Hot Malta has reached out to the management of the Birkirkara recycling plant for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication.

This is a developing story. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.