Naxxar Residents in Limbo: Ten Families Evacuated as Construction Site Crumbles

In the quiet, residential street of Triq l-Imqabba, Naxxar, a once-peaceful scene has been replaced by the unsettling sight of yellow tape and anxious residents. Ten families were abruptly evacuated from their homes on Tuesday, as fears of a building collapse at a nearby construction site through the community.

Collapse Fears Trigger Emergency Evacuation

Around 11 am, residents heard a loud rumble and felt their homes shake. Within minutes, the Naxxar Local Council and Civil Protection Department had arrived, ushering families out of their homes as a precaution. The source of the commotion was a construction site just metres away, where a three-story building under construction had begun to show signs of instability.

“We were in our living room when we heard this loud noise,” said Maria, a mother of two who lives on Triq l-Imqabba. “The whole house shook, and we could see the building next door leaning. We grabbed our kids and ran out. It was terrifying.”

Construction Site History and Safety Concerns

The construction site in question has been a source of concern for Naxxar residents for some time. Complaints about vibrations and cracks in nearby homes date back to 2019, when construction first began. Despite these concerns, work continued, with some residents alleging that safety measures were inadequate.

“We’ve been complaining about this for years,” said Joseph, a retired man who has lived on Triq l-Imqabba for over 40 years. “Every time there’s heavy machinery, our houses shake. We’ve reported it to the council, but nothing changed.”

Aftermath and Next Steps

As of now, the evacuated families are staying with relatives or in temporary accommodation provided by the Naxxar Local Council. The construction site has been temporarily halted, and engineers are assessing the stability of the building. The cause of the instability is still under investigation.

Naxxar Mayor Doris Abela has assured residents that the council is doing everything in its power to ensure the safety of the community. “We are working closely with the relevant authorities to identify the cause of this incident and ensure it does not happen again,” she said.

In the meantime, residents of Triq l-Imqabba are left in limbo, wondering when they can return to their homes and whether their neighborhood will ever be the same. “This is our home,” said Maria. “We just want to feel safe here again.”

For now, the future of the construction site and the families affected remains uncertain. One thing is clear, however: the incident has raised serious questions about construction safety in Malta and the need for stricter regulations and enforcement.