BCA-appointed architect says it is safe for evacuated residents to re-enter homes

The families who were evacuated from their homes following the collapse of the foundations of a construction site can return to their homes.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) appointed an architect to inspect the site on Friday, as he told residents that they could now re-enter their homes because there were no more signs of movement.

On Thursday, the families were evacuated after part of the foundations of a building still under construction failed.

The Building and Construction Authority issued an immediate stop order on all works and said the “controlled evacuations” were “precautionary”.

A close up of one of the narrow supporting walls buckling under the weight of the construction above it (Photo supplied by a resident)

The evacuated families were given accomodation by the BCA.

Residents living close to the site, which was previously a quarry, reported the partial collapse of a narrow supporting wall. Photos of the area show narrow walls supporting what appears to be a heavier superstructure as it bridges a gap in the quarry. One of the walls gave way, raising serious questions as to whether they were designed correctly to support the overlying load at such a height.

The building involved is still under construction and forms part of a large site, which is being developed by Onyx Investments Ltd, owned by Anton Camilleri, known as Il-Franċiż. The site's architect is listed in planning documentation as Melanie Spiteri.

In comments to Times of Malta, Camilleri insisted that residents were not at risk, adding that the closest buildings where people lived were at least 100 metres away from the site where the incident occurred.

The families that were evacuated from neighbouring buildings spent the night in a hotel, while the authorities carry out a risk assessment of the area.