Man trapped between two cars in Ċirkewwa, commuters face 'chaos'

Updated at 4.39 pm with details of accident

A man was treated in hospital on Tuesday after he was trapped between two cars in Ċirkewwa as commuters faced gridlock traffic, with long queues bringing "chaos" in the lead-up to New Year's Eve.

According to police, the accident happened at Triq Latnija, in the direction of Ċirkewwa, while cars were waiting in traffic on the way to the ferry terminal.

Police told Times of Malta that the man stepped out of his vehicle while stuck in standstill traffic on the downhill and stood behind his vehicle. During the same time, the Porsche behind him had a handbrake malfunction and began to roll towards him.

Police reported that the man did not have enough time to move away and ended up stuck between the two vehicles. It is not clear yet the age or nationality of the man.

An ambulance was dispatched to the scene, and according to the medical team, the injured person is not in danger.

Traffic has backed up significantly, with lines of vehicles reportedly stretching as far back as the roundabout on Triq il-Marfa in Mellieħa, a junction leading to Ċirkewwa, Armier, the Red Tower and Għadira Bay.

One commuter vented online: “We've already been waiting for 1.5 hours to board. And still at least another half an hour to go.”

The standstill traffic comes days after commuters found themselves in similar hours-long traffic jams as they headed to Gozo on Boxing Day.

Another said they had been waiting for two and a half hours, while a third sarcastically commented that they might as well have walked, given how long they had waited.

Commuters patiently waiting to reach one of the four ferries operating Photo: Anonymous

On the same day a year ago, 22,757 people used the Gozo Channel Ferry service, according to the company's figures. During last year’s holiday period, between December 15, 2024 and January 5, 2025, some 348,238 passengers used the ferry service. That was over 12,800 more than the previous year.

“We are expecting even more people this year,” said Joe Muscat, CEO of the Gozo Tourism Association, speaking to Times of Malta.

He explained this was due to several factors, including the mild, clear weather over the past days, although, according to the Met Office, the sunny skies could soon give way to stormier conditions.

“The other factor is that people are taking the opportunity to enjoy a long weekend due to New Year's Day being a Thursday,” Muscat said.

He noted that those travelling to Gozo include both local and foreign tourists seeking a year-end getaway, as well as Maltese who own second homes on the island. There are also Gozitans returning after working in Malta or visiting for shopping and leisure.

Muscat also highlighted that many are making their way to Gozo using the fast ferry service.

Commuters patiently waiting to reach one of the four ferries operating Photo: Anonymous

Back at Ċirkewwa, however, the situation remained tense. While Gozo Channel confirmed that all four ferries were in operation, many commuters expressed frustration at the traffic congestion and what they said was a lack of enforcement on site.

“It’s ridiculous that there’s only one police officer at the very end. Complete chaos and free-for-all in the road from Riviera roundabout leading to Paradise Bay Hotel,” one commuter wrote online.

Another echoed that sentiment: “Cirkewwa jungle, no police, no wardens and no Lesa officers. Free for all. Cars coming from the drop-off lane and joining the ferry queue at the end (...) Disaster!!”

“The authorities know that the run-up to the new year is always like this, so why does it feel like nothing has been planned?” one person wrote.