Letters to the editor – July 8, 2026

The effects of devastating earthquakes

Edmond Grech of Birkirkara writes:

A couple of weeks ago, The Philippines experienced an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude. 

The city of General Santos, located in the southern region of Mindanao, was rocked by a deadly tremor that claimed at least 35 lives. 

Footage captured a building of a Filippino giant fast-food brand going down in an instant. 

Several videos also featured terrified people while enduring tremors that shook their houses.

A rescue worker searches for victims amid the rubble in Macuto, Vargas state, Venezuela. Photo: AFP

The Philippines is a country prone to several earthquakes every year as the country is part of the Ring of Fire, an intense seismic and volcanic path around the Pacific Ocean. The country is located where several tectonic plates meet.

Unfortunately, on the other side of the globe, Venezuela had the same fate on June 24. 

The earthquake in the South American country claimed more than 3,300 lives and more than 16,700 have sustained some sort of injury. 

The capital, Caracas, was among the cities affected.

Imagine what they are going through, especially those who lost their loved ones and others searching for the missing, hoping to find them alive. 

It has been a race against time and their fate has been  in the hands of the civil servants searching for the missing. 

Above all, they pray.

Let us hope the missing are found alive. Let us pray so that the families of those who did not survive may find peace and solace.

Let us pray for both countries.

High towers

Christopher John Linskill of Ħamrun writes:

We read about a 40-storey tower in St Julian’s, overlooking Paceville and Swieqi (‘Excavation approved for St Julian’s site linked to 40-storey tower’, June 26).

The problems the shadows of a skyscraper can cause at different times and seasons is well described, though the solar heat received by a tower is not mentioned.

What worries me more is the landscape domination of tall towers, over the otherwise varied rural, urban and, of course, historic areas of Malta and Gozo. 

We must keep this fascinating landscape and not end up looking like the less interesting New York.

Tall towers concentrate population and the need for the facilities at a high level inside or near at hand. This must include requirements for fire and other safety problems.

I would prefer not to see more of these expensive and demanding structures on Malta or Gozo.