It was a rough couple of hours for motorists in the Xemxija, Manikata and Mistra areas today afternoon which demonstrates the transport crisis in this country.
An accident which occurred around 430PM between a bus and a truck on Xemxija Hill resulted in complete gridlock for at least 2 and a half hours. Frustrated motorists could just look on as the vehicles remained blocking the road with no wardens or traffic police in sight.
The situation was particularly bad as this is usually the time for the Malta-Gozo commute with several people unable to reach the ferry at Cirkewwa on time.
Mellieha mayor Gabriel Micallef took to Facebook to vent his woes. He said that assistance had been requested following the accident but he was told that there were no vehicles or officials available to assist ‘due to other events in the country’. These are assumed to be the SIGMA conference currently taking place in Marsa and which has already caused massive traffic mayhem today.
Several motorists contacted The Maltese Herald while stuck in their vehicles to complain of this gross inconvenience.
Emergency services continue to be stretched
The lack of available emergency support has brought renewed attention to the ongoing issue of stretched resources within the country’s emergency response units. Mellieha, a popular town for both residents and tourists due to its scenic beaches and historical sites, often faces heavy traffic, especially during peak tourist seasons. This can lead to heightened demand for emergency services, making resource allocation a growing challenge.
Local officials have voiced concern about the strain on first responders, noting that Malta’s emergency services are stretched thin, particularly in high-demand areas like Mellieha. The incident has sparked a call for improved infrastructure and increased funding for emergency services to ensure that communities like Mellieha have reliable access to assistance, especially in life-threatening situations.
This situation has underscored the urgency of addressing resource gaps within Malta’s emergency response network to prevent future delays in providing necessary aid during critical incidents.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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