Ten families evacuated amid collapse fears at Naxxar construction site

It was just another sunny afternoon in Naxxar, until the ground started to tremble. Neighbors watched in horror as a construction site on Triq il-Kappella began to crumble, sending plumes of dust into the air. Within minutes, ten families were evacuated, their homes suddenly unsafe, their lives turned upside down.

As emergency services rushed to the scene, residents were hurriedly evacuated from their homes. The Red Cross was quick to set up a temporary shelter at the Naxxar Community Hall, where families spent an anxious night, unsure of what the morning would bring. “We were all scared,” said Maria, a mother of two who lives nearby. “The ground was shaking, and we didn’t know if our homes would still be standing.”

Early investigations suggest that the collapse may have been due to inadequate soil compaction and improper excavation techniques at the construction site. The site, owned by local developer Joseph Xuereb, had been under construction for several months, with neighbors complaining of vibrations and cracks in their walls. “We’ve been warning them for weeks,” said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “But no one listened until it was too late.”

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has launched a full investigation, promising swift action against those responsible. “This is a serious incident,” said a MEPA spokesperson. “We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

For the ten families evacuated, life remains in limbo. Some have been taken in by relatives, others are staying in temporary accommodation provided by the government. All are waiting for news on the safety of their homes. “We just want to go back to our normal lives,” said one resident, standing outside the cordoned-off area. “We want to know if our homes are safe, if we can go back.”

In the meantime, the Naxxar community has rallied around the affected families, with donations of food, clothing, and toys pouring into the community hall. “This is what Naxxar is about,” said one volunteer. “We look out for each other, especially in times of crisis.”

This incident has raised serious questions about the safety standards in Malta’s construction industry. With several major projects underway, including the controversial St. Martin’s Project in Rabat, many are wondering if more could be done to prevent such incidents in the future.

“This is a wake-up call for the construction industry,” said Dr. Inħinrixu, a local environmental activist. “We need stricter regulations, better enforcement, and more transparency. We can’t afford to put lives at risk for the sake of profit.”

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