'Irresponsible' works on Msida Creek project blamed for Melita internet outage

Updated 4pm with statements by contractor, Infrastructure Malta

A contractor working on the Msida Creek project has been blamed for "irresponsibly" damaging a fibre optic cable, leaving many Melita customers without internet and other telecommunication services.

Repair works were underway on Monday morning but Melita warned services were only expected to be restored by around 3pm. It said customers in the south of Malta were affected, but businesses and people living in central Malta also reported outages.

In a statement, the company said a roadworks contractor working on the Msida Creek project damaged parts of a "backbone" of its fibre network. 

"The presence and route of this fibre were notified to the relevant authorities and project team well ahead of any works. Despite this, works with heavy machinery was performed irresponsibly, impacting infrastructure of Melita and other entities," the statement said. 

Melita said technical teams were immediately dispatched to begin repairs.

"Based on current assessments, repairs are expected to be completed by 3pm, although every effort is being made to restore services as quickly and safely as possible," it said. 

Services are expected to return gradually locality by locality.

Contractor 'sincerely apologises'

The company responsible for the Msida Creek works is EPE JV, a joint venture, including Polidano Group, Electrofix and E&L Enterprises. 

In a statement to Times of Malta, the company admitted responsibility for the incident. 

"The contractor carries out its works professionally and responsibly at all times; however, during the course of the works, the use of water on site caused sections of the work area to become muddy, obscuring the ground markings indicating the location of underground cables," it said.

"The contractor sincerely apologises for the inconvenience and to those affected by the disruption."

It said it remained committed to the major Infrastructure Malta project, which aims to ease traffic in one of the country's busiest roads.

Melita said the damage disrupted internet, television, fixed telephony, mobile and business connectivity services in the affected areas.

Customers based in Santa Venera, Ħamrun, Valletta, Floriana, Vittoriosa and Marsascala were among those who took to social media to say they were left without phone service or internet on Monday.

Bank of Valletta said services at its Gżira branch and ATM were unavailable due to the damage. 

Melita reminded people that emergency calls to 112 can still be made from mobile phones during the outage. 

"Melita apologises to all affected customers and thanks them for their patience and understanding while repairs are complete," it said. 

Contractor should have taken precautions - IM

In a statement, Infrastructure Malta said the contractor had been provided with the location of existing underground services, including the fibre optic network.

"The damage occurred during excavation works despite the availability of this information and the required precautions that should have been taken on site," an IM spokesperson said.

The agency said the contractor was liable for any damage resulting from its operations.

"Infrastructure Malta expects the contractor to address the consequences of this incident and cooperate with the relevant service provider to ensure that any disruption is resolved as quickly as possible