Residents report ‘unbearable' smell of fuel in the South

Residents of Paola, Vittoriosa, and Żabbar have reported a strong smell of fuel in recent days, with some saying it was "unbearable" and had even woken them up at night.

The stench, described as similar to burnt petrol, diesel or heavy fuel oil, has been reported to the Environment and Resources Authority.

Michael Piccinino, a PN candidate on the fourth district who lives in Paola, wrote to ERA on Wednesday asking it to investigate the source and to take action.

He told Times of Malta that he had noticed the smell on several days over the past week and a half, mostly in the evening.

Piccinino said the residents experienced a similar smell last year, but it appeared to be worse this time.

He said he had asked ERA to explain what was causing the smell and whether it posed any health risks.

'It burns your eyes'

Ertin Sammut, who lives in Vittoriosa, said he woke up at 2am because of what he described as a "toxic smell".

"It's not just a bad smell; it burns your eyes and hurts when you breathe it," he said. 

Sammut initially thought the smell was coming from his road, but later concluded it was too strong to have been caused by cars.

He later posted on social media asking whether others had noticed it.

"Other residents in the Cottonera area also reported the smell," he said. 

Like Piccinino, Sammut said he had been noticing the smell for about a week and a half, mostly during the night. He did not know whether it stemmed from cruiseliners, the shipyard, or elsewhere.

He said he too had called ERA to investigate it.

"When I called, the representative said they were aware of the smell and had received many other reports about it."

"I want to protect my children"

Roderick, a Żabbar resident, said he also woke up to a smell of what he described as "burning oil" or "heavy fuel oil". 

"At first I thought the smell was coming from a nearby home but later I realised the smell was similar to burning diesel or heavy fuel oil, not something you would burn at home," he said. 

"The smell has been unbearable. In the evening, I close all the windows, yet we can still smell it, and I am worried about the harm it could cause my children."

He too filed a report with ERA.

Kristina, another resident of the area, said she also noticed it today. "I was in the car and could smell it as soon as I drove past Mcast in Corradino at about 6pm," she said. 

Another individual, who preferred to remain anonymous, described the smell as "fresh tarmac but stronger".

She said her parents live in Paola and have been smelling it every day.

She first noticed the smell on May 14 while driving to her parents' home in the early evening and later recognised it on four other occasions. 

"On Saturday, I was driving from Għajn Dwieli and I had to close the car windows as the smell was unbearable," she said. 

Olivia Belli said she began noticing the smell about two weeks ago while playing tennis at the Corradino Tennis Club. 

"I play tennis four times a week, and I am experiencing an exhausting smell of fuel every evening. It leaves us breathless," she said.

She said the smell, which she described as petrol or diesel, was particularly strong at around 7pm.

One Santa Luċija resident said the stench was similar to the smell in a "petrol station" mixed with "the smell of heavy fuel fumes.

Questions have been sent to ERA.