Imagine purchasing your first home, only to find it’s slowly sinking into the ground. This isn’t a scene from a horror movie, but a reality for several homeowners in Malta’s Msida area. The phrase “I feel like I bought my first home in a sinkhole” has become an eerie echo in the streets of this once-quiet town.

Subsidence, the gradual sinking of the ground, has been a silent invader in Msida. It’s not a new phenomenon, but it’s one that’s been creeping up, quite literally, on homeowners. The problem lies in the soil’s composition – a mix of clay and sand that’s prone to shifting under certain conditions. Add heavy rainfall, poor drainage, and the weight of new constructions, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

Take the case of Mr. Joseph Borg, a first-time homebuyer who purchased a brand-new apartment in Msida’s Triq il-Kbira. “I noticed cracks in the walls within months of moving in,” he says, “But I never imagined the ground beneath my home was giving way.” His home is now listed as ‘uninhabitable’ by the Building Regulation Office.

In Malta, the responsibility for subsidence damage lies with the homeowner, according to the Building Regulation Act. However, many argue that this isn’t fair, especially when the cause is external and beyond the homeowner’s control. The Act also requires developers to carry out geotechnical investigations before construction, but enforcement is a grey area.

Dr. Joseph Mifsud, a geotechnical engineer, explains, “Developers often cut corners to save costs. They might not dig deep enough or test the soil properly. By the time subsidence becomes apparent, it’s too late, and the responsibility falls on the homeowner.”

For those affected, the solution isn’t simple. Some have had to move out, others are fighting for compensation. Meanwhile, the government is considering changes to the Building Regulation Act to better protect homeowners.

Prevention, however, is key. Dr. Mifsud suggests, “Developers should invest in thorough geotechnical investigations. Homebuyers should also be proactive – ask for geotechnical reports before purchasing a property.”

In the meantime, Msida’s streets echo with the sound of drilling and excavation as engineers work to stabilize the sinking homes. It’s a stark reminder of the invisible forces at play beneath our feet, and the ground we build upon.