Victoria Lines wall restored as questions raised over cause of collapse
Anecdotal accounts suggest possible link to nearby fireworks factory explosion, but cause not confirmed
A section of the historic Victoria Lines that collapsed earlier this month has been restored within days of being reported, as anecdotal accounts raised the possibility that nearby blast damage from the Salina fireworks factory explosion may have contributed to the incident.
On Saturday the NGO Friends of the Victoria Lines called for “urgent” restoration works after highlighting a section of the infantry wall on the Madliena side of Wied il-Faħam had collapsed. The wall is between Għargħur and Swieqi.
Masonry from the wall was strewn across the steps along the popular stretch of the 12km trail, partially blocking the route.
The collapsed wall. Photos: Ray Cachia ZammitThe collapse was first reported to the authorities around 11 days ago, cultural heritage activist Conrad Neil Gatt said.
On Tuesday, the Restoration and Preservation Department in the Ministry for National Heritage had repaired the section.
During a recent meeting of the Swieqi Local Council, a councillor reported that a regular walker had noticed the wall was intact the day before the fireworks factory explosion. Two days later she was walking in the area again and noticed the wall had collapsed.
While there is no firm evidence of when the wall collapsed exactly, Gatt said “it is 99.9% certain” that the wall collapsed because of the blast from the Lourdes fireworks factory in nearby Salina.
The co-founder of the Friends of the Victoria Lines Ray Cachia Zammit said that particular section of the wall had deteriorated over the last few years and believed its collapse was “primarily the result of its exposure to the elements, especially rain, for so many years without any maintenance”.
“Having said this, it does appear plausible that the blast from the explosion of the fireworks factory could have triggered the collapse. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back,” Cachia Zammit said.
On Tuesday, Gatt thanked the authorities for their swift action and urged members of the public who notice any cases of dangerous structures to alert the authorities immediately and file a police report.