Wall collapse halts Żebbuġ demolition after injury

An 80-year-old man was grievously injured after a demolition site collapse in Żebbuġ, where contractors were dismantling a wall and “several stones” fell on him, according to Times of Malta.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority and the Building and Construction Authority said they were investigating the incident and had issued a stop-work notice. Police are also involved. Times of Malta, citing sources, reported that the man’s injuries were grievous but not life-threatening.

What stands out is how early in the job this happened. Times of Malta reported that the commencement notice displayed at the site showed works beginning that day at Sqaq Nr 1, Triq Ħal-Dwieli.

According to the Planning Authority website, cited by Times of Malta, the project involves demolishing an existing structure and developing four houses with underlying basement garages. Keith Attard Portughes of ICI Limited is listed as the applicant for PA/05587/23, while Face Works and ICI are named as lead contractors.

That does not explain why the wall came down. The authorities have not said what caused the collapse, and the public should be careful not to fill that gap with the usual ready-made conclusions. But even at this early stage, the outline is clear enough: this was not some informal works site operating in the shadows. It was a permitted project with named parties, a posted commencement notice and, now, an investigation after a man ended up under falling stone.