Two Workers Plummet in Birkirkara Apartment Block Shaft

Two construction workers, both Maltese, are fighting for their lives after plummeting down an open shaft at a building site in Birkirkara. The incident, which occurred yesterday afternoon, has through the local community and raised questions about safety standards on construction sites.

Rescue Operation at Triq il-Kbira

The workers, aged 35 and 45, were trapped in the shaft of a seven-story apartment block under construction on Triq il-Kbira, one of Birkirkara’s busiest streets. Emergency services, including the Civil Protection Department and the Armed Forces of Malta, were called in to assist in the rescue operation. It took them over two hours to safely extract the workers, who were then rushed to Mater Dei Hospital with severe injuries.

Witness Accounts

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. “I heard a loud thud and then people started screaming,” said Maria, a local resident. “It’s terrifying to think that this could have happened to anyone walking by.” Another witness, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that safety measures at the site seemed inadequate. “There were no barriers around the shaft, and workers were walking around without hard hats,” they said.

Investigation Launched

The incident has sparked an investigation by the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA). In a statement, the authority confirmed that they had launched a probe into the incident and would be inspecting the site. “Our thoughts are with the injured workers and their families,” the statement read. “We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”

This is not the first time that safety concerns have been raised about construction sites in Malta. In 2019, a worker was killed in a fall at a construction site in Paola, leading to calls for stricter safety regulations. The incident in Birkirkara has once again brought these issues to the fore.

Hot Malta has reached out to the construction company involved for comment but has not received a response at the time of publication. We will continue to follow this story as it develops.