Updated: The controlled demolition will continue tomorrow Saturday.
Three buildings which lie in the vicinity of Tania Flats are expected to be demolished later today since they have been deemed structurally unsafe. Informed sources who spoke to The Maltese Herald said that one of the buildings is a hotel. It appears that demolition and excavation works at the former site of the Avenue Restaurant have caused significant damage to the foundations of adjacent buildings, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.
According to the Minister for Justice and Construction, Jonathan Attard, an additional 40 persons have been evacuated from buildings nearby. Properties on St George’s Road including the G Hotel, the National Lottery shop as well as the Holland and Barret shop have also been evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority (OHSA) issued another statement earlier where they stated that have continued to closely monitor the situation following the incident in Triq Paceville, St Julian’s, where a building adjacent to a demolition site collapsed.
As part of their ongoing commitment to public safety, the BCA and OHSA said that they are taking further steps to safeguard the wellbeing of residents in neighbouring properties. In this respect, and in coordination with the Police, the Civil Protection Department (CPD) and Mater Dei’s Hospital Accident and Emergency Unit, a precautionary evacuation exercise is being carried out for additional properties within the affected perimeter, and temporary alternative accommodation is offered.
The BCA and OHSA remain present on site and will continue to provide all necessary assistance to the persons impacted by this incident. The Authorities are fully committed to supporting residents and ensuring that all safety measures are maintained.
The video below shows hosing being carried out by Civil Protection workers in preparation for their demolition.
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