Two Workers Plummet Down Birkirkara Shaft
Two workers, employed by a local construction company, are lucky to be alive after plummeting down an open shaft at a construction site in Birkirkara. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning, has through the local construction community and raised questions about safety standards on Maltese building sites.
Rescue Operation at Triq il-Kbira
The workers, both in their late twenties, were rushed to Mater Dei Hospital after being rescued by emergency services from the 15-meter deep shaft on Triq il-Kbira. Neighbours and passersby watched in horror as firefighters and Civil Protection personnel worked tirelessly to extract the injured men, who had been trapped for over an hour.
Company Under Investigation
The incident is now under investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA). According to sources, the shaft was not properly secured, leading to the tragic accident. The construction company, a local entity with a history of building projects across Malta, has been cooperative with authorities but has declined to comment pending the outcome of the investigation.
Safety Concerns in the Construction Industry
This is not the first time that safety concerns have been raised in the Maltese construction industry. According to OHSA statistics, there were 173 reported accidents in the construction sector in 2020, with 14 resulting in serious injuries. Industry experts have long called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and increased training for workers.
Dr. Mario Vella, a local occupational health specialist, told Hot Malta, “This incident is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by workers in the construction industry. We need to see a cultural shift towards prioritizing safety over speed and cost.”
Community Response
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and workers’ rights advocates. A spontaneous protest was held outside the construction site on Wednesday, with protesters calling for stricter safety measures and better worker protections. The Maltese Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has also issued a statement condemning the incident and calling for urgent action to improve safety standards.
Hot Malta has reached out to the Ministry for Employment, Inclusion and the Family for comment but has not yet received a response.
