‘No evidence of excavation work’ at Paceville collapse site, KTP probe finds

Updated 5.15pm with Chamber of Geologists statement

A Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) investigation into the collapse of an apartment block in Paceville has found “no evidence” that excavation works were taking place at the site, the organisation has said.

In a statement, the Chamber of Architects and Civil Engineers said they visited the site of the collapse on Monday as part of their investigation. 

"While the investigation into the circumstances leading to the collapse is ongoing, the Council noted that there was no evidence of excavation work having been conducted on-site at any point during the project," the chamber said. 

In further comments to Times of Malta, the KTP said only demolition works appeared to had taken place at the construction site next to the collapsed building, noting the developers appeared to have invoked a 2021 permit to begin the demolition works ahead of a pending application to build a block of flats at the site.

The 2021 permit allows for the demolition of existing buildings, excavation of the site and the construction of a 125-bedroom hotel including five levels of basement parking.

The chamber said its conclusion about the lack of excavation works was backed up “by the fact that the perit [architect] in charge of the project had not sought clearance for excavation works, nor had the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) granted any authorisation for such works”.

This meant that geological investigations into the site were neither “neither technically required” according to European building standards – known as Eurocodes – “nor legally mandated”, the KTP added.

KTP council members investigating the site. Photo: KTP.

The chamber opened its investigation Thursday, the day after the apartment block collapsed just hours after 32 student residents were evacuated due to safety concerns.

The controlled demolition of the remainder of the building was completed on Sunday.

Civil Protection Department (CPD) deputy director Graham Attard showed KTP council members the emergency stabilisation works carried out under his direction before the council carried out an investigation of the site, the chamber said.

The council undertook a “thorough inspection of the site, including the remains of Tania Flats, to help form a collective professional opinion on the cause of the collapse and determine whether professional negligence by a warrant holder was a contributing factor”, the statement read.

“The Kamra tal-Periti urges all stakeholders to exercise restraint and caution when making public statements about such incidents without first-hand knowledge of the facts."

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Geologists said there is no evidence that a ground investigation, let alone a geological report were carried out at the site in Triq Paceville, despite the fact that works on site had reached the demolition/excavation phase. 

It said the situation was reminiscent of the tragic building collapse in Ħamrun in March 2020, where the demolition/excavation phase had also proceeded without a geological report.

The building collapse in Paceville highlights the need for reform in the building and construction sector that must include the recognition of the profession of the geologist, the chamber said.