Two Workers Rescued After 15-Story Fall in Birkirkara

Imagine, if you will, the chilling sight of two workers, mere specks against the towering concrete of a half-finished apartment block in Birkirkara. They’re not standing on the roof, or even on a balcony, but dangling from a safety harness, 15 storeys up, after a terrifying fall through a gaping shaft.

Plunging into Darkness

This was the scene that unfolded on Tuesday morning, as two local men, both in their 30s, found themselves in a harrowing situation at the construction site of the new ‘The Residence’ complex on Triq San Ġorġ Preca. The shaft they fell through was meant to be a lift well, but at this stage, it was just a dark, empty chasm, waiting to swallow anything that fell into it.

According to eyewitnesses, the workers were installing metal reinforcement bars when a section of the floor gave way, sending them plummeting down the shaft. Their safety harnesses, thankfully, did their job, stopping their fall just short of the bottom. But there they hung, 15 storeys above the ground, with no easy way up or down.

Rescue Operation Launched

Emergency services were quickly on the scene, with the Armed Forces of Malta’s helicopter buzzing overhead, its winch operator ready to lower a rescue line if necessary. Firefighters, meanwhile, set up a safety net beneath the workers, just in case. It was a tense wait for the men trapped in the shaft, but thankfully, a team of rescue workers managed to abseil down to them and secure them safely.

The workers were then winched up to safety by the AFM helicopter, a dramatic end to what could have been a tragedy. They were both taken to Mater Dei Hospital for treatment, thankfully with only minor injuries.

Safety Under Scrutiny

This incident has once again put the spotlight on safety standards at construction sites in Malta. While the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) has launched an investigation, some are questioning whether more could be done to prevent such incidents.

“We need to ensure that our safety regulations are strong and enforced,” said a spokesperson for the General Workers’ Union. “We’re building up, and that means our workers are more exposed to these kinds of risks.”

Indeed, Malta’s construction boom has seen a rise in such incidents. According to OHSA statistics, there were 137 accidents at workplaces in 2020, with the construction sector accounting for a significant number of these.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. The industry is also taking steps to improve safety. The Construction Industry Training Authority (CITA) has been running courses to upskill workers in safety procedures, while many companies are investing in better safety equipment and training.

As for the ‘The Residence’ complex, work has continued, but with a renewed focus on safety. The developer has assured the public that they are cooperating fully with the OHSA investigation and are committed to ensuring the highest safety standards.