Msida scaffolding brought down by powerful winds
Masonry scattered across Triq il-Ħarrub damaged a car parked beneath the scaffolding
Updated 6.13pm
Scaffolding surrounding a building in Msida collapsed on Tuesday after being toppled by strong winds, damaging a car.
The incident occurred around 4pm on Triq il-Ħarrub, the police confirmed.
No one was injured, but stones were scattered across the middle of the street. A car parked beneath the scaffolding sustained a hole in its roof after a stone fell through.
The scaffolding is now resting on an electricity line, while members of the Civil Protection Department remain on site to clear the debris.
The road is currently closed to traffic.
Police investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Members of the Building and Construction Authority and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority were called to the site and ordered works to stop.
The BCA appealed for all temporary structures and machinery to be secured in a way that does not pose a danger.
Malta has been experiencing strong gusts of wind throughout the day. The Met Office issued an orange weather warning lasting until Tuesday night, with winds expected to reach near gale-force speeds.
The windy weather also led to the cancellation of the carnival’s closing programme, which was scheduled for Tuesday evening.
The Gozo Fast Ferry service, which operates between Valletta and Mġarr, was also suspended due to the unfavourable weather conditions.
The Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) advised workers to avoid working on roofs, scaffolding, or elevated walkways, and to secure loose materials, tools, equipment, and temporary structures.
Workplace signs should reflect current weather conditions, and emergency access routes should be maintained at all times, the OHSA said.