Palumbo directors charged over death of diver

Six directors of Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd have been charged for involuntary homicide in connection with the death of diver Patrick Joseph Vella

Patrick Vella, a 36-year-old diver from Zejtun,  died in an accident at Palumbo Shipyards in February 2015
Patrick Vella, a 36-year-old diver from Zejtun, died in an accident at Palumbo Shipyards in February 2015

Six directors of Palumbo Malta Shipyard Ltd have been charged for involuntary homicide in connection with the death of a diver who had been carrying out works at the yard, this newspaper can reveal.

Naples-resident company directors Antonio Palumbo, Giuseppe Palumbo, Raffaele Palumbo, Giorgio Flippi, were charged together with their Maltese colleagues, Joseph Calleja and Mark Grech, from Santa Venera and Zabbar respectively, who were arraigned by summons – not under arrest – before Magistrate Josette Demicoli yesterday, charged with involuntarily causing the death of Patrick Joseph Vella.

The directors pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Vella, a Zejtun father of three, lost his life in February 2015 whilst performing works on the underwater mechanism which is used to empty the drydock. The deceased, an experienced diver and a marine biologist, died after being sucked into the gate valve of Dock 4.

Magistrate Joseph Mifsud’s inquiry into the accident had recommended that criminal action be taken against the directors for what it said were breaches of occupational health and safety law.

On the basis of the evidence before it, the court decreed that there was sufficient prima facie evidence for a bill of indictment to be issued against the six defendants, who told the court that they had no objection to this.

The compilation of evidence will continue in the new year.

Inspector Josric Mifsud led the police investigation. Lawyers Giannella de Marco and Matthew Brincat are appearing for the defendants, whilst lawyer Carlos Bugeja is representing the Vella family in the proceedings.