Two Workers Plunge Down Birkirkara Apartment Block Shaft
Imagine the chilling sight of two men, mere specks, tumbling down the dark, gaping shaft of a half-finished apartment block in Birkirkara. This was the horrifying scene that unfolded on Tuesday afternoon, leaving Malta’s construction industry on edge and residents of Triq il-Kbira wondering what could have gone so terribly wrong.
Plunging into Disaster
The incident occurred around 2 PM at the construction site of a new apartment block, located on one of Birkirkara’s busiest streets. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the two workers, both in their 30s, fall from the 12th floor of the unfinished building. They plummeted down the central shaft, used for the building’s elevator, before landing with a sickening thud on the concrete floor below.
Rescue and Aftermath
Emergency services rushed to the scene, with an ambulance and two rapid response vehicles arriving within minutes. The two workers were immediately transported to Mater Dei Hospital, where they were admitted in critical condition. The police cordoned off the area, and the construction site was temporarily closed pending an investigation.
Residents of the nearby apartment blocks watched in horror as the rescue operation unfolded. “I was in my kitchen when I heard a loud thud,” said one resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “I looked out and saw the two men lying there. It was a terrible sight.”
Safety Under Scrutiny
This incident has once again brought the issue of safety in Malta’s construction industry under the spotlight. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA), there have been 11 fatal accidents in the construction sector since 2015, with falls from height being one of the leading causes.
OHSA has since launched an investigation into the Birkirkara incident. “We are looking into all aspects of the incident, including the safety measures in place at the time of the fall,” said a spokesperson for OHSA. “We will leave no stone unturned in our quest to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.”
The construction company involved in the project has also issued a statement, expressing their condolences to the families of the injured workers and pledging to cooperate fully with the investigation.
As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by workers in Malta’s construction industry. It is a call to action for all stakeholders – from employers to employees, and from regulators to the public – to work together to improve safety standards and prevent such tragedies from happening again.
